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

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HOUGHTON HOLLIDAY. a.b., d.d.s. Associate Dean

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WILLARD COLE RAPPLEYE, a.m., m.d.. sc.d. Dean

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ORAL SURGERT Dentistry has been marked by notable advances during this generation. Unmeasured advantages have been effected in the educational system with the elimination of the proprietary schools and their affiliation with universities; improvements and in- novations have been made in materials and tech- nical procedures; research and scientific study of the pathological conditions of the teeth and the oral region have become more intensive; a closer co- operation with medicine is being progressively de- veloped in a formal and informal way. The tempo of these advancements during the past three decades were accelerated by the vaguely but long recognized fact, that the teeth from the standpoint of function and their diseases, present important health problems which are social in im- plication and national in scope. This recognition is rapidly leading to reorientation and a truer eval- uation of the services rendered by the dental pro- fession. We are impressed with the rise in our educational standards, the new approaches in research, and the new vistas in social and medical relationships. It is also gratifying that in recent years dentistry has been the recipient of philanthropic benefactions in an unprecented measure. We are justly proud of the perfection of tech- nique achieved which may be regarded as an es- sential prelude to a maturer development of den- tistry. This was probably overemphasized, so that we grew inured to the concept that biological er- rors may be remedied or cured with technical and surgical means alone. The fallacy is advanced repeatedly that the bio- logical approach may have a stunting influence upon technique. The truth is that in minister- ing to ailments, when biological laws and physio- logical needs are ignored, the best technical or surgical procedures alone will fail. Ampler medical training and knowledge should prove beneficial in dental practice. In all profes- sions some activities require more of a certain type of knowledge than do others and individuals will utilize the knowledge derived from the same teach- ing, in keeping with their needs and capacities. Furthermore, we must not assume that dental prac- tice will remain static or fixed. Trends in research, in educational preparation, in dental and medical literature reasonably suggest that changes will come. Research has introduced more rationalized meth- ods in dental education and practice. Research is not confined, however, essentially to the microscope. Clinical research and its scientific interpretation plays a most important part in the treatment of the ill. Oral surgery has been devoted through the years to this form of usefulness and activity. This spe- cialty and the individuals therein have done con- siderable spade work in the integration of dentistry into medical institutions and medical conscious- ness. One of the important stepi in advancement which resulted, is the introduction of dental in- ternes and dental departments in the best healing institutions. Such early missionary work led to a better mutual understanding, cooperation, recog- nition and respect between the two professions. You gentlemen of the graduating class are enter- ing upon the practice of your profession at the threshold of a new era. Opportunities are open to you in abundance, to choose where you will. All of dentistry offers fertile fields for improvement, investigation, research and service. I have merely struck some keynotes, leaving it to you to work out the melody. I hope that you will learn to view your profes- sion in its infinite amplitude; that you will foster and maintain an unswerving allegiance and devo- tion to the profession which assures you a coveted standing in society; gives you the means of earning a respectable livelihood and competence and while so doing, the opportunity to dispense benefactions to your fellow man; of rendering service which makes the recipient healthier, happier and better fitted to meet the world and life ' s problems. I hope that you will enjoy and realize all this good, through a higher, a professional life in dentistry. ADOl.PH BERCER. D.D.S.