Willoughby D. Miller
Encyclopedia
Willoughby D. Miller was an American
dentist
and the first oral microbiologist
.
He later returned, though, for further training at the Pennsylvania Dental College
. He was later appointed dean of the dental school, but he died prior to assuming the position.
While in Germany, he was Professor of Operative Dentistry at the University of Berlin. He worked in the microbiological laboratory of Robert Koch
in Berlin and began numerous research projects that introduced modern biological principles to dentistry. He believed that periodontal disease
was caused not by a specific bacterium but rather a host of microbes that were commonplace as regular members of the oral flora; this later became known as the nonspecific plaque hypothesis and remained unchallenged for seven decades.
He did not, however, discover bacterial plaque
; this was left to James Leon Williams
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
and the first oral microbiologist
Microbiologist
A microbiologist is a scientist who works in the field of microbiology. Microbiologists study organisms called microbes. Microbes can take the form of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists...
.
Biography
Born in AlexandriaAlexandria, Ohio
Alexandria is a village in Licking County, Ohio, United States. The population was 85 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Alexandria is located on State Route 37 about southeast of Johnstown, Ohio....
He later returned, though, for further training at the Pennsylvania Dental College
Pennsylvania Dental College
The Pennsylvania Dental College was opened in 1857. It accepted students from both other states as well as international students....
. He was later appointed dean of the dental school, but he died prior to assuming the position.
While in Germany, he was Professor of Operative Dentistry at the University of Berlin. He worked in the microbiological laboratory of Robert Koch
Robert Koch
Heinrich Hermann Robert Koch was a German physician. He became famous for isolating Bacillus anthracis , the Tuberculosis bacillus and the Vibrio cholerae and for his development of Koch's postulates....
in Berlin and began numerous research projects that introduced modern biological principles to dentistry. He believed that periodontal disease
Periodontal disease
Periodontitis is a set of inflammatory diseases affecting the periodontium, i.e., the tissues that surround and support the teeth. Periodontitis involves progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the teeth, and if left untreated, can lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth...
was caused not by a specific bacterium but rather a host of microbes that were commonplace as regular members of the oral flora; this later became known as the nonspecific plaque hypothesis and remained unchallenged for seven decades.
He did not, however, discover bacterial plaque
Dental plaque
Dental plaque is a biofilm, usually a pale yellow, that develops naturally on the teeth. Like any biofilm, dental plaque is formed by colonizing bacteria trying to attach themselves to a smooth surface...
; this was left to James Leon Williams
James Leon Williams
James Leon Williams was an American prosthodontist and a pioneer dental histologist. He discovered dental plaque.-Biography:...
.
External links
- Scientific Pioneer of Dentistry at SlideShare
- Historical Marker