Sofiya Davydovna Eiger: she was a pioneer…

the names of many figures who devoted their lives to the development of Russian dentistry remain virtually unknown to contemporary scholars and practicing dentists. Sofiya Davydovna Eiger stands among the prominent scientists of the 20th century who laid the foundation of Russian dentistry. Her contribution to establishing dentistry as an independent scientific discipline and clinical specialty is difficult to overstate. Working in close collaboration with D.A. Entin and M.K. Geikin, she was among the first in world medicine to conduct scientific investigations into the biochemistry of saliva and its relation to dental caries. Her presentations at the Third All-Union Odontological Congress in 1928 earned recognition from both Russian and international dental professionals. Eiger also made a substantial contribution to the development of basic dental education. She authored the textbook A Brief Course in Propaedeutic Dentistry, published in 1941. Her long-standing work as a scientist, clinician, and educator had a profound influence on the advancement of Russian dentistry, and her name deserves to be preserved in the memory of future generations.

This article is based on data presented in Russian specialized sources on dentistry and maxillofacial surgery, as well as on the memoirs of a prominent figure in military dentistry and maxillofacial surgery, V.V. Fialkovsky, Cand. Sci. (Medicine), Assistant Professor, Medical Service Colonel, who personally knew Sofiya Eiger.