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February 9 is traditionally celebrated as the International Dentist Day. This day is also known as the feast of Saint Apollonia who is often associated with this profession.

Apollonia was the daughter of a major state official in Alexandria, who accepted Christ. But that time the country was polytheistic and people believed in the emperor’s divine origin. Apollonia was put through terrible tortures of pulling her teeth. But she was firm in her faith and didn’t abandon Christianity. She asked the crowd to untie her, so she could go down on her knees and fulfill their demands. But after they untied her, she threw herself into the flames. It happened on February 9, 249. Since that time there is a legend that when her name is pronounced a toothache disappears. In the year 300, Apollonia was canonized as a saint victim and her feast was set on February 9.

Nowadays it is celebrated as the International Dentist Day. Dentistry is a very ancient profession but these days it is one of the most high-tech branches of medicine – new materials and methods of treatment appear almost every day.