In the mid 1970s American paediatric dentists started publishing claims that breast feeding an infant on demand and/or during the night was as dangerous to the infant's dental health, in terms of the production of caries, as the previously established dangers of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. It was argued by some dentists that this danger increased if the infant was breast fed for an extended period of time. Such claims have gained support from many dentists, and their professional bodies, into the twenty-first century. This thesis examines the historical, social, commercial and cultural influences that supported the development of such assertions. It analyses the ways in which expert reinforcement was gained, and scrutinises the scientific controversy as publicly fought in professional journals and other outlets. The thesis also examines the growing status of the dental profession, especially in connection with its claim to specialised scientific and medical knowledge in the production of dental caries. Further, consideration is given to the medicalisation of breast feeding and the associated commercial infant feeding dispute. The thesis attempts to redress the current lack of theoretical analysis of the construction of dental knowledge. To date there has been minimal academic contribution to the history of dentistry; however, the absence of extensive analysis has been advantageous in enabling an original approach to the material.

In the mid 1970s American paediatric dentists started publishing claims that breast feeding an infant on demand and/or during the night was as dangerous to the infant's dental health, in terms of the production of caries, as the previously established dangers of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. It was argued by some dentists that this danger increased if the infant was breast fed for an extended period of time. Such claims have gained support from many dentists, and their professional bodies, into the twenty-first century. This thesis examines the historical, social, commercial and cultural influences that supported the development of such assertions. It analyses the ways in which expert reinforcement was gained, and scrutinises the scientific controversy as publicly fought in professional journals and other outlets. The thesis also examines the growing status of the dental profession, especially in connection with its claim to specialised scientific and medical knowledge in the production of dental caries. Further, consideration is given to the medicalisation of breast feeding and the associated commercial infant feeding dispute. The thesis attempts to redress the current lack of theoretical analysis of the construction of dental knowledge. To date there has been minimal academic contribution to the history of dentistry; however, the absence of extensive analysis has been advantageous in enabling an original approach to the material.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2007. / Prepared for: School of Social Work. Bibliography: leaves 178-202. Also available online via the Internet.

Thesis (M.Mid.-Res.)--University of Wollongong, 2003. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 129-134.

Thesis (MA(Nut))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University. / Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Charles Harrington. Dissertation Committee: Margaret Mead. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (B.S.)--Ohio State University, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains 36 p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 25-27). Available online via Ohio State University's Knowledge Bank.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2000. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 99 p. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-89).

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.