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

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GILBERT P. SMITH D.D.S. Associate Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for Dental and Oral Surgery Executive Officer, Department of Dentistry Professor of Dentistry The theme of the 1958 Dental Columbian is an appropriate and significant selection since it indi- cates the acute awareness of today ' s graduate to his newly assumed responsibility and that he is not solely preoccupied with personal motives. His re- sponsibility to society includes a responsibility to himself, as well as his profession and to the com- munity. In selecting the practice of dentistry as his life work the graduate dedicates himself to upholding those standards characteristic of a profession — edu- cation beyond the usual level, service to his fellow man and participation in the advance and self-regu- lation of his profession. By attaining a place in this profession he accepts the obligation to continue his education by devoting constant effort toward keep- ing his knowledge and skill abreast of the times so that he may serve his patients and the public in a manner which they deserve and demand. He should endeavor to make contributions toward the improve- ment of his profession by maintaining an attitude of research and investigation and of willingly pre- senting his findings to his colleagues through both his teachings and writings. He must keep informed on the problems of his profession and should actively participate in their solution by attending profes- sional meetings and taking an active part in dental organizations. In addition to his professional responsibility the graduate has a duty to be an exemplary citizen and to give his support, participation and leadership to governmental, cultural, social and religious activities in his communuity. The members of the Class of 1958 are well equip- ped to fulfill in good measure their responsibility to society and it is with this faith that the faculty ex- tends to them congratulations upon their graduation.

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GRAYSON KIRK Ph.D. President of the University WILLARD COLE RAPPLEYE M.D., A.M.. Sc.D., Med.Sc.D. Vice-President in Charge of Medical Affairs Dean of the Faculty of Medicine

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PREFACE Joseph C. De Lisi, DDS Faculty Advisor THE SIXTH SENSE Homo sapiens is not merely the title given to man ' s form and function. Man, himself, is more than the biological won- der of the animal kingdom. His rationality permits him to exercise judgement and to draw conclusions. His nature is such that he may or may not perform at his own discretion, according to his personal whim or design, knowledge or ignorance. What he does is distinguished from comparable actions of beasts in that he is endowed with a sense of respon- sibility and is governed by a conscience. Not all individuals are equally responsible nor do all pos- sess the same conscience. Perhaps the most responsible person in the world would be he who has the greatest knowledge conforming to Truth, the greatest intelligence and the greatest capabilities of correct thinking. By virtue of his mind and knowledge, both correct and true, he would be extremely responsible to the human society of which we are a part, and to which we elect to dedicate our efforts. Conscience, in addition to being something we must all live with, is in some respects like an electronic brain com- putor. It computes only on the basis of information delivered to it. The accuracy and reliability of the final computation is dependent upon the accuracy and reliability of the supplied figures. Conscience may govern personal behavior but be- cause conscience and values vary greatly throughout our world, there has been in existence a minimum standard of action or values, which is called natural law. All individuals of our human society are governed by natural law, whether they believe in it or not. The United Nations Charter and the war atrocity trials at Nurenberg following World War II re-affirm this principle. Moral law is merely an extension of natural law. It is not a minimum standard of values; it is a higher standard. The more we have, the more we are expected to give. This is well understood by those who pay taxes, but morally speaking, if we are capable of doing something well, we should not be satisfied with mediocrity. If we are capable of doing something neatly, we should not be slovenly. If we are capable of learn- ing more, we should seek the truth and not be content to await the malignant death of stagnation. If we are capable of becoming more skillfull we should nurture these poten- tialities for not all are so gifted. If we are capable of looking beyond the oral cavity, we should remind ourselves of the over-all dignity of our patients. There are times when a little kindness and a little compassion may result in more mileage than an atomic-powered submarine. If we are capable of rendering a higher strata of professional service, we should do so because nature has given to each of us a sixth sense — the sense of responsibility! Dr. Joseph C. DeLisi Faculty A dvisor