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

Page 14 text:

PROSTHODONTICS JOHN J. LUCCA, D.D.S. Professor Director, Division of Prosihodontics Ennio L. Uccelloni, D.D.S. Associate Professor Victor S. Caronia, D.D.S. Assistant Professor Joseph A. DeJulia, D.D.S. Instructor Joseph J. Scancarello, D.D.S. Assistant Frank J. Cacciola, D.D.S. Ass ' t. Clin. Prof. Joseph C. DeLisi, D.D.S. Ass ' t. Clin, Prof. Edward P. Kesseler, D.D.S. Ass ' t. Cl ' m. Prof. Harry Shpuntoff, D.D.S. Ass ' t. Clin. Prof. William Raebeck, D.D.S. Instructor

Page 13 text:

It would be rash to attempt to foretell the future but wise indeed to evaluate the past. Modern dental technology has progressed to such a degree that today we can render adequate dental service to a substantial segment of the popu- lation, but not to all. Although there are over 100,000 dentists in our country today, only about one third of the needs of the total population is cared for. Many communities are without dentists and many families are dentally indigent. It would take all the dentists we have to- day most of their life to care for the present back-log of dental defects. We need more dentists to render a total health service to all. Most of the developed countries of the world have government supported health treatment plans in operation today. These vary from aid to veterans and less fortunate citizens to full compre- hensive plans for the total population, including dental care. It should be noted that in all countries these movements are progressive and not retrogres- sive — first one group is added and then another. The nature of these movements points up the need for constructive action by organized dentistry in our country so that we may find a solution to the prob- lem of making dental care available on an accept- able basis to all — the population and the profession. This is just one aspect of the problem that faces us. We are on the threshold of change and we must meet it together — as a profession, not as individuals — with proper leadership and sound ideas; for no man is an island unto himself. However, prevention has to be looked at as the most sensible, long range solution to dental health and basic science offers a hopeful approach. In re- search today we are trying to discover the basic biological factors in dental health and disease. We are using innumerable technics of the modern bio- logical laboratory, exploring new vistas disclosed by the electron microscope and the secrets revealed by radio-isotopes in tooth and bone. We are trying to find out how the teeth and bones develop, how saliva affects the teeth, how the soft tissues give clues to bodily health and biological aging, and how certain food elements affect oral conditions. For many, restorative dentistry will solve a need — but for the rest of the population and the new gen- eration it will not. Prevention is, however, a rational solution and research a hopeful approach. To the Class of 1967, the teachers of Operative Dentistry wish to extend their best wishes for every success. Edward A. Cain, Jr., D.D.S. V Stanislow H. Brzustowicz, D.D.S Aa ' l. Clin. Prof. Kenneth C. Deesen, D.D.S. Ass ' t. Clin. Prof. Joseph E. Fiasconaro, D.D.S. Ass ' t. Clin. Pro . Herbert P. Fritz. D.D.S. Ass ' l. Clin. Prof. 9 i i Frank L, Mellana, D.D.S, Assist art Joseph A. Pianpiano, D.D.S. Assistant George Rudensky, D.D.S. Assistant

Page 15 text:

You, the Class of 1967, are faced with a com- pletely new outlook on the practice of dentistry. Since the 1930 ' s, there has been an increasingly active role played by the government at various levels in social welfare. In the past year, this has had a far reaching effect in the medical and dental pro- fessions with the advent of Medicare and, more recently, Medicaid. It is expected that over 50% of the people of New York State will be eligible for aid under the latter program. The practice of den- tistry will be radically changed. There have been, and possibly always will be, controversies as to the relative merits of these social welfare programs. However, as long as the legislation has been passed and the program is law, it is incumbent upon the profession to render the best possible service to these patients. In the field of prosthodontics, dentists will be called upon to render services in most instances in the form of complete and partial removable dentures under Medicare. For the younger patient, under Medicaid, as the law now stands, the profession will be rendering more services in the field of pros- thetic dentistry to restore the ravages of caries. Miss- ing teeth in many instances may be replaced by a fixed partial prosthesis. If existing legislation continues and permits these services for all patients who qualify, then there will probably be a great change in the character of pri- vate practice. The very patients who can least afford this service probably need it the most. In the past generation, with advances in research and techniques, the profession has been able to save countless thousands of teeth which heretofore would have been doomed to extraction. High speed tech- niques, the use of pins to restore badly broken down teeth, better restorative materials as well as current periodontal and prosthodontic know-how have all played their parts in this evolution. It is the feeling of the Staff of the Prosthodontic Section that you have been prepared second to none in the entire country to undertake this new assign- ment. You have worked hard and long throughout these four years to achieve this goal, but we feel justifiably proud of your accomplishment. Congratu- lations and our sincerest wishes for success in what- ever endeavor you follow. John J. Lucca, D.D.S. Howord A. Arden. D.D.S. Associate Professor Herbert D. Ayers, D.D.S. Associate Professor Sebastian A. Bruno, D.D.S. George W. Hindels, M.D., D.D.S. Assoc. Clin. Prof. Assoc. Clin. Prof. William J.Miller, D.D.S. Assoc. Clin. Prof. Edward M. Ras, D.D.S. Instructor John M. Scarola, D.D.S. Instructor Edward Herzig, D.D.S. Assistant William S. Lancaster, D.D.S. Assistant Martin Winter, D.D.S. Assistant