Final answer:
The first recorded dentist was an ancient Egyptian named Hesy-Re, who practiced around 3000 BC and was referred to as 'the greatest of those who deal with teeth, and of physicians.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The first dentist on record, who practiced around 3000 BC, was an ancient Egyptian known as Hesy-Re. He is considered the earliest dentist whose identity has survived to this day. Hesy-Re's tomb in Egypt bears an inscription describing him as "the greatest of those who deal with teeth, and of physicians." This suggests that even in ancient times, there was a recognition of specialization in medical fields, including dentistry. His work predates other known figures in the history of medical practice, such as the Greek physician Hippocrates, who was born later around 460 BC and is often recognized as the father of Western medicine. Hesy-Re's contribution to the field of dental care is one of the earliest markers in the long history of the medical profession.