Francis P. McCarthy, pioneer in oral medicine

Francis P. McCarthy MD (1883-1970) was a major pioneer in the development of the discipline of Oral Medicine in America. A 1905 graduate of Tufts Medical School, he later became certified in both pathology and dermatology. As a practicing dermatologist Dr. McCarthy's attention was drawn to diseases of the mouth. In 1925 he introduced a course of lectures in Oral Medicine at Tufts Dental School. This was the first course in Oral Medicine presented at an American dental school. Dr. McCarthy gradually developed a clinic in Oral Medicine, where he would bring in some of his private patients with oral mucous membrane diseases. Students would also bring their patients with oral mucosal diseases to this clinic, where Dr. McCarthy's considerable background and experience would often be able to interpret complex oral mucosal manifestations. He retired as Professor of Oral Medicine after many years of teaching both predoctoral and postdoctoral students at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.