Jefferson, William Thomas

1864-1925 · Contribution: 1895

Military & Safety

The first African American dentist to provide dental care to U.S. Army soldiers -- treating Black regiments in Cuba during the Spanish-American War (1898-99) as a line officer of the 8th Illinois Infantry; recognized as an early pioneer of Army dentistry, though the first commissioned Black Army dental officer is undetermined

Military & Safety — collage image
Military & Safety

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Quick facts

Born
1864-1925
Category
Military & Safety

Impact on the world

Jefferson brought dental care to Black soldiers who otherwise had none, becoming a pioneer in the largely undocumented early history of African Americans in Army dentistry.

Sources

  1. U.S. Army (Army Medical Department history)

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