摘要：Comparable to the history of dentistry in other countries, the dental practice in the Philippines began as a crude craft. The first tooth pullers were barber surgeons and were known as sacamuelas during the Spanish occupation. The first special course resembling that of dentistry in the country was offered by the University of Santo Tomas and the graduates were called cirujano ministrantes. Later on, the term was changed to cirujano dentistas.
