The history of dentists goes back thousands of years, with evidence of dental practices in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Early dental work included treating toothache with rudimentary tools such as using bow drills to treat cavities and extracting teeth with forceps. In the Middle Ages, barbers often doubled as dentists. The 18th century marked significant advancements with the introduction of dental prosthetics and techniques for filling cavities. The 19th century saw the development of dental amalgams and anaesthetics. The 20th century brought about more of a focus on preventive care,