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

Page 16 text:

PRECLINICAL SCIENCES The conclusion of your formal undergraduate dental education represents the attainment of a plateau in your professional development. Your efforts during the ensu- ing years will determine whether you rise above or de- cline from this plateau. If, during rhe next five years, your practice experience is limited, you may tend to lose some of the diagnostic acuity and thetapeutic ability you now possess. ' To prevent any decrement in your profes- sional skills necessitates a real appreciation of their in- evitable loss unless you work to prevent their loss. W. M. Copenhaver, A.B., Ph.D. Prof, of Anatomy, Edmund Applebaum, D.D.S., Assoc. Prof, of Denial Anatomy Chorles R. Nobock, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.. Assoc. Prof of Anatomy William M. Rogers, B.S., Ph.D., Ass ' f Prof, of Anofomy Melvin L. Moss, A.B., D.D.S., Ph.D., Ass ' f Prof, of Anofomy Dorothy D. Johnson, Max A. Eisenberg, A.B.. M.A., Ph.D., A.B., M.S., Ph.D., Ass ' f Prof, of Anofomy Ass ' f Prof, of Biocfiem Harry M. Rose, A.B., M.D., John E. Borne Prof, of Med. Surg., Chairman of Dept. ■■■ Stoart W. Tannenbaum, B.S., Ph.D., Assoc. Pro f. of M crobiof. Solon A. Ellison, B.S., D.D.S., Ph.D., Ass ' f Prof, of Microbiol. Harry P. Smith, M.D., De afie d Prof, of Oral Palhol. Lester R. Cahn, D.D.S., Assoc. Prof. of Oof Pathol. Wellington B. Stewart, M.D., Assoc. Prof, of Oral Pathol. Geo. P. Vennart, M.D., Ass ' f Prof, of Oral Pathol. Harry B. Van Dyke, B.S., Ph.D., M.D., David Hosaclc Prof, of Pfiarmo., Chairman 12 Shih-Chun Wong, B.S., M.D., Ph.D., Prof, of Pharmo. Wilber H. Sawyer, M.D., Ph.D., Assoc. Prof, of Pharmo, Frederick G. Hoffman, A.B., Ph.D., Asst. Pr?f. of Pharmo. Herbert J. Bartelstone, B.S., D.D.S., Ph.D., Asst. Prof, of Pharmo. Curt Proskauer, D.M.D., Curator of Museum

Page 15 text:

FACULTY

Page 17 text:

Actually to enhance your level of professional at- tainment is a much more difficult undertaking. It can be done, however, if you have matured sufficiently to recog- nize the limitations to your knowledge imposed by hav- ing spent only four years in formal professional educa- tion. Unfortunately there are many areas where your exposure to a given subject has had to be confined to fundamentals rather than to an exploration of the subject in depth. Your ability to treat patients with complex oral problems is severely limited at the conclusion of your formal education. To prepare yourself properly to meet the challenge of any type of oral problem requires con- tinuous additional training. There is a danger, however, in merely accepting additional training in any of its available forms. Passive acceptance of the literature, or course-content, can result in distorted concepts of diag- nosis and treatment. To prevent this, you must utilize your ability to be critical. Do not accept the word of an authority ' without a critical analysis of the evidence presented. Test the basis for conclusions by carefully- following the logic of an argument after you have satis- fied yourself as to the acceptability of the evidence upon which the conclusions are based. When you start to treat patients in private practice you will quickly realize the areas in which you are most deficient. Let this stimulate you to further study rather than force you to narrow the scope of your practice. From my own experience, I woulri suggest that addi- tional training in the diagnosis and treatment of peri- odontal disease is of prime importance. Increasing your understanding of periodontia will be reflected in a more sound approach to many of the cases of oral disability which you will meet in general practice. Maintaining a working knowledge of basic science subjecrs requires special emphasis. There is no doubr that the significant advances in the understanding of etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of oral disease must be predicated upon sound concepts derived from the basic sciences. Unless you pursue the literarure actively, you may become prey to inadequately supported concepts. It is your professional responsibility to continue to read and study in the basic disciplines so that you may be able to contribute to the advancement of dentistry. The pursuit of technical competence, alone, pro- duces a technician, while the constant acquisition of knowledge produces a professional man. Dr. Herbert J. Bartehtone Magnus I. Gregarson, A.B., M.A., Ph.D., John C. Do fon Prof. of Physiol., Chairman Shu Chien, M.B., Ph.D., Assf. Prof, of Physiol. Louis J. Cizek, B.S., M.D., Assoc. Prof. of Physiol. Robert J. Dellenback, A.B.. M.A., Ph.D., Assf. Prof, of Physiol. William W. Walcott. A.B., Ph.D., Assoc. Prof, of Physiol. Waller S. Root, B.S., Ph.D., Prof, of Physio . Mero Nocenti, A.B., M.S., Ph.D., Assf. Prof, of Physiol. James P. Cattell, M.D., Assf. Clin. Prof. of Psychiatry Arthur Bushel, A.B., D.D.S., M.P.H., Assoc. Prof, of Dentoi Public Health 13