Miss Emma F. Doty was a dental assistant circa 1884 at 232 Westminister Street, Providence. In 1889, at the age of 25, she became the first woman to practice dentistry in the state of Rhode Island.

In 1898 she became partners with Dr. Martin Y. Simmons who had been established in the field since 1857 and was considered one of the best dental surgeons in Rhode Island and New England. The partnership was called M. Y. Simmons & Co. Dentists. Throughout this time, Miss Doty expanded her knowledge in extractions, anesthesia, and in all other phases of dentistry. She also began putting out her own tooth powder with the trade mark name "Purity".

Emma stayed with Simmons until the early 1900's when she went back into her own private practice at 333 Westminister Street. She retired in 1909.