St. Apollonia, an early Church martyr, is the patron of dentists and toothaches. Christian persecution in 249, led many to their death. St. Apollonia would not renounce her faith and was beaten, having all her teeth knocked out. Her persecutors then threatened her with fire. She stood firm, even voluntarily jumping into the flames, to her death. Her life story was written by St. Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria, to Fabian, Bishop of Antioch.