Lucy Beeman Hobbs Taylor was the first woman to earn her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree. She initially had planned to go into medicine, but after she was denied entrance to medical school, she decided to open up her own dentistal office. In the mid-1800s, it was common for dentists to practice without a license. Taylor's practice was based in Iowa, and she began earning a profit within three years and was well-regarded. In 1865, the Iowa State Dental Society admitted Taylor as a member and eventually persuaded the Ohio College of Dental Surgery to accept her. Taylor was only required to attend one session due to her years of practice, and earned her degree in 1866. She later had practices in both Chicago and Lawrence, Kentucky which she opened with her husband after teaching him dentistry.