Medelita lab coat honors dental pioneer

Medelita has introduced a new dental lab coat for women that honors dental pioneer Lucy Hobbs Taylor, DDS.

The new 34-inch-length Lucy H.T. lab coat features snaps instead of buttons, and the lowest snap on the coat was raised to the upper hip area, allowing dental professionals to be fully mobile and comfortable in a seated position, according to the company. Also, because the original chest pocket was not often utilized by dental customers, this pocket was removed.

In addition to the DuPont Advanced Dual Action Teflon fabric protector already applied to the 100% cotton performance fabric, a stain technology also was added to the ribbed cuffs. This prevents fluid, soil, and stains (including blood and impression material) from seeping into the fabric, ensuring that the lab coat and the cuffs remain white and clean.

Dr. Taylor, who was born in 1833, was rejected for admission to medical school based on her gender in 1859. But rather than be deterred, she opened her own dental practice, and in time, she came to be known as "the woman who pulls teeth." After serving patients for four years in her practice, she was admitted to the senior class of the Ohio College of Dental Surgery. In 1866, Dr. Taylor became the first woman in U.S. history to earn a doctorate in dentistry.