Zeynep ÖZLÜ

Keywords: Dentistry in the Ottoman Empire,history of dentistry in the 19th century,dentists of the palace

Abstract

The first modern pharmacy in the Topkapı Palace was the mabeyn-i hümâyûn pharmacy, established in the 1870s. In addition to three physicians, three dentists have also served in the pharmacy. One of the dentists served as the dişçibaşı - the head of dentists. The service of the dentists as much as the physicians in the palace is significant in displaying the importance of oral health. The state supported dentistry by providing professional opportunities for foreign dentists and by rewarded the dentists for their work. However, the fact that the dentists were paid less than the physicians is remarkable. The low wages appears to be related to the acceptance of dentistry as a lateral of medicine up to the 19th century