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By Karen Fox

The first African-American to graduate from a U.S. dental school was the son of slaves who bought their freedom in the 19th century.

February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on Dr. Robert Tanner Freeman, who with the support of a mentor and a conscientious dean left a tremendous legacy to the dental profession.

	Dr. Freeman

Dr. Freeman was born in Washington, D.C., in 1846.

Having a strong interest in the health professions, he sought work as a dental assistant and clerk from Dr. Henry Bliss Noble, a white dentist who tutored Dr. Freeman and encouraged him to pursue his own career in dentistry.

Dr. Noble "was a reputable dentist whose humane acts of employment and encouragement of an African American were indeed remarkable, especially in the nation's capital where residents were sensitive to Confederate values and traditional interracial dogma," wrote dental historian Dr. Clifton O. Dummett in "Courage and Grace in Dentistry: The Noble, Freeman Connection," from the Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society (1995).

Dr. Noble "encouraged him to think seriously about pursuing a dental career, pointing out that Freeman would be in a better position to help alleviate human suffering and serve the dental health needs of his fellow African Americans in this way."

Having been rejected from two dental schools on racial grounds, it would take the support of Dr. Noble and Dr. Nathan C. Keep, Harvard University School of Dental Medicine's first dean, for Dr. Freeman to thwart tradition and gain acceptance to dental school.

On Dr. Keep's recommendation, Harvard decided the school would "know no distinction of nativity or color in admitting students," Dr. Dummett wrote in "Salute to Harvard School of Dental Medicine," in the JMDS (2003). Dr. Freeman became one of 16 members of Harvard's first dental school class.

At the time, Dr. Dummett wrote, the promotion of higher education for African-Americans was virtually nonexistent.

"Despite the great need for basic health services among minority populations, African Americans were unwelcome in health professional education institutions. Dr. Freeman could not have succeeded without the support of those two white dentists," said Dr. Dummett, distinguished professor emeritus of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. "I think that deserves equal notice and emphasis. I am sure they were ostracized for their actions."

After graduating from Harvard in 1869, Dr. Freeman returned to Washington, D.C., and practiced in the same building as his mentor, Dr. Noble. Unfortunately, his death came only four years after dental school.

"As the first to have formal dental training, Dr. Freeman set the precedent for African-Americans to pursue dentistry as a profession," said Dr. Leslie E. Grant, president of the National Dental Association, the organization of minority dentists.

His career also began a distinguished legacy for his family. Dr. Freeman's grandson, Robert C. Weaver, Ph.D., became the country's first black presidential cabinet member, serving as Lyndon B. Johnson's secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

As a tribute to Dr. Freeman, the Washington, D.C., constituent society of the National Dental Association named its society for him. The Robert T. Freeman Dental Society is one of the NDA's 48 chapters that represent more than 6,000 black dentists.

Dr. Freeman's name also graced a precursor to the NDA itself, which had its earliest beginnings in 1900 with a group of 200 dentists who met to form a professional organization.

In celebration of Black History Month and National Children's Dental Health Month, the NDA encourages its members to teach preventive dentistry to children and let them know about African-Americans in dentistry.

"African-Americans are slightly more than 12 percent of the U.S. population but we are less than 6 percent of dental school enrollment," said Dr. Grant.

For her presidential year, Dr. Grant's theme is "Committed to Health Equity Through Unity and Collaboration." She believes that equitable health care is an issue of social justice, saying it is "a disgrace that more than 100 million individuals in this country do not possess dental insurance." Dr. Grant's platform focuses on bringing national attention to disparities that exist in health access.

"As we become more and more aware of how oral health has a significant impact on overall health, organized dentistry needs to work more collaboratively in order to eliminate disparities in health care and overall health," said Dr. Grant.

"Dentists have historically embraced communities," she added. "We like going to schools, we like being part of the community. We are in a unique position where we can educate and encourage individuals about the importance of good oral health in maintaining overall health."