The Harvard School of Dental Medicine was established in Boston as a pioneering institution that integrated dental education within a university framework. This was a significant development in a time when dentistry was increasingly viewed as a profession requiring specialized knowledge and skills. Before this, dental training was often informal and varied greatly, with many practitioners lacking formal education. The founding of this school directly addressed the urgent need for higher education in dentistry amid growing public awareness of oral health issues. The dental school was formed from the collaborative efforts of numerous leaders in the field who advocated for a more structured educational approach to dental care. Harvard's emphasis on evidence-based practice set the standard for dental training, emphasizing not just the treatment of dental diseases but also prevention and public health. The curriculum would evolve to include a variety of disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, and materials science, providing a comprehensive education to future dentists.

The establishment of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine marked a turning point in the medical education landscape in the U.S. By closely aligning with Harvard University, it legitimized dentistry as a field of study worthy of academic rigor and professional respect. It attracted qualified candidates who were eager to pursue a career in dentistry and encouraged a collaborative environment that included research and clinical practice. Eventually, this would lead to improvements in dental standards and practices nationwide, as graduates from the school took their expertise into communities across the country. The success of Harvard's program prompted other institutions to follow suit, leading to a proliferation of dental schools and contributing to the establishment of organized dentistry, which sought to uphold professionalism and ethical standards in the field.

In the following years, Harvard's dental school would continue to innovate and adapt its curriculum to stay aligned with advances in dental technology and practices. The school also played a crucial role in expanding the recognition of dental public health, an area that would grow in importance over the decades. Its founding set in motion a wave of reform that had lasting effects on the practice of dentistry in America and beyond, establishing a framework for educational standards that would create a new generation of highly skilled dental professionals.