Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery - Dental Columbian Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 26 text:

OPERATIVE MAURICE BUCHBINDER. B.S.. D.D.S. Asst. Prof, of Dentistry GEORGE F. LINDIG, D.D.S. Asst. Prof, of Dentistry IRVIN L. HUNT, Jr., D.D.S. Instructor in Dentistry LEROY L. HARTMAN, D.D.S. Professor of Dentistry OPERATIVE DENTISTRY One of the greatest problems confronting dentistry since the dawn of civilization is the one of dental caries. Out- standing among the unsolved diseases of the present day, this malady peculiar to the human race remains as a stumbling block to the progress of medicine and dentistry in spite of the ever-increasing efforts to combat the disease. At present medicine and dentistry are placing ever increas- ing emphasis upon prevention, and since dental caries is primarily a question of prevention, the nearest approach to this problem is thru the medium of operative dentistry. In combating disease the etiological factor must first be determined before measures of eradication and prevention may be instituted, and in the event this underlying cause cannot be discerned, then the next best therapeutic step must be taken — treat each individual symptom. And so is it in the disease of dental caries; because of its obscure etiology the treatment of dental caries resolves itself into a symptomato- logical one, just as any systemic disease of undecided etiology results in treatment of local symptoms. The symptoms of dental caries manifest themselves locally on the surfaces and interior of the teeth, and thus thru the medium of operative dentistry this disease is treated symptomaticallv thru preven- tive and constructive methods. A tremendous amount of experimental work has been done by research workers in an effort to determine the specific cause of dental caries, but with no ultimate success. The problem has been studied from all angles — chemically, bac- teriologically, physiologically and from a dietetic standpoint, and still this prevalent condition remains rampant in our modern civilization. In the meantime this disease must be treated; with operative dentistry as a most powerful weapon, dental caries is treated symptomaticallv, in .in attempt to eradicate locally the existing infection and prevent its further spread.

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GILBERT P. SMITH. D.D.S. Instructor in Dentistry MORELL D. McKENZIE. D.D.S. Instructor in Dentistry desire to do every operation as perfectly as it can be done, never to hesitate to remake a piece of work if improvement can be made, and to use and apply knowledge gained from rhe basic sciences. These desires and ideals are a very essen- tial part of our teaching, for upon them rest the standards of a professional man. Unless the graduate has been inspired to do only the best when he is in practise and on his way, then the most carefully outlined course of study has failed. The class of 1936 has had as instructors in the various courses of the prosthetic division seven full time and three part time teachers. This roll includes the names of Dr. Arthur Taylor Rowe, head of this division, and Dr. Paul Benjamin Wiberg. From a professional standpoint the loss of these teachers cannot be felt more keenly anywhere than in this division where they have worked and given of them- selves so freely. This class is fortunate to have known them so well and to have profited by their knowledge and pro- lessional ideals. William H. Crawford. d. j. v. Mclaughlin, D.D.S. Instructor in Dentistry

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DENTISTRY MILTON R. MILLER, B.S., D.D.S. Assistant in Dentistry As a result of the painstaking and fruitful efforts of the men who have contributed to the progress of dentistry, cer- tain fundamentals and basic principles of operative dentistry were evolved; outstanding among them are Miller ' s chemico- bacteriological theory of caries, principles of focal infection, G. V. Black ' s principles of cavity preparation, manipulation and physical properties of filling materials. The course in Operative Dentistry attempts to inculcate into the minds of the students these basic principles which resulted from the gradual scientific evolution of Dentistry, so that they may be applied intelligently to the various prob- lems that may arise. No doubt many questions will arise which require only a standard form of treatment, yet there will be many more problems which vary from the normal to such an extent that the solution can only be obtained thru a combination of a knowledge of the basic principles and the ingenuity of the individual. During his four years at the school, the student is not expected to master all the technique of dentistry, for it is a physical impossibility to do so in so short a period. A thorough understanding of the systematic use of the various instruments and the principles upon which they are based is emphasized, rather than a mastery of their use in all dental operations. The amount of work accomplished in the infirmary is not of prime importance, for it is not indicative of the scientific aptitude of the student — intelligence is the fundamental quali- fication. Speed and manual dexterity may be acquired even- tually by empirical means, but a scientific attitude and logical mind can only be derived from intelligence and initiative. At the end of his four years of study at the school, the student should emerge with a well-grounded knowledge of the fundamentals of dentistry, which will act as a founda- tion upon which to bui ld a scientific and intelligent practice, and to act as a stimulus for further endeavors in the unex- plored fields of dentistry. H. G. B. EMERIC ANGELUS, D.D.S. Assistant in Dentistry WILLIAM MILLER, B.S., D.D.S. Assistant in Dentistry ¥M. M. LANCASTER, A.B., D.D.S. Assistant in Dentistry