Gillette Hayden

Gillette Hayden (1880-1929) was a pioneering dentist and periodontist in the early 20th century. She was a founder of the American Academy of Periodontology and served as the first female President of the organization in 1916.

Early life and education Gillette Hayden was born on March 2, 1880, in Greenville, Florida.

Hayden graduated from the Ohio Medical University, which later became the Ohio State University College of Dentistry, in 1902. She was the third woman to graduate from the Ohio Medical University.

Career After graduating in 1902, she took graduate work at Northwestern University through 1903, which led to her specialization in periodontology. After practicing in Columbus for a time, she then went to Dresden, Germany as assistant court dentist. She was there for two years of study and practice, introducing methods and treatment of periodontal diseases. Returning in 1908, Dr. Hayden began exclusively practicing periodontology with the philosophy that care and treatment of gums is as important as caring for teeth. Her office was located at 289 East State Street which was designed by her sister Florence Kenyon Hayden Rector. The AAWD has established the Gillette Hayden Memorial Fund to aid promising women dental students. She also served as the President of the Federation of American Women Dentists in 1924.

Suffragist activities In addition to her achievements in the field of dentistry, Dr. Hayden also maintained an active political life as well, serving as an active suffragist. She was affiliated with the National Woman's Party. Dr. Hayden was the national President of Altrusa International, Inc from 1924 to 1925. Dr. Hayden officed at 289 East State street, in the Rector building designed by her sister. In 1840, Dr. Horace H. Hayden was one of the two founders of the first chartered dental college in the world, the Baltimore School of Dental Surgery, now known as the Dental College of the University of Maryland.

Death and legacy Hayden died in 1929 in Columbus at age 49 at her home after an operation.