Joseph Fox was a prominent dentist in the late 18th century with a practice in London. He was a pupil of the famous surgeon, John Hunter.

In The Natural History of the Human Teeth, Fox was the first to classify malocclusion.

The book contained some practical advice such as the recommendation to extract deciduous teeth, and a description of a gold or silver arch with ivory bite blocks which was used to eliminate an anterior cross bite.

Fox’s second book, The History and Treatment of the Diseases of the Teeth, published in 1806 contained further practical advice and included appliances such as a leather head chin cap worn for a complication free tooth extraction for patients suffering from jaw luxation.

Fox’s work raised the profile of orthodontics and led to an increased interest in the subject.