Temple University School of Dentistry - Odontolog Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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€ ur J eU) Affiliation of our alumni have already learned through the public press of the new relations assumed between their Alma Mater, the Philadelphia Dental College and the Temple University of this city. To those living at a distance and who may not have heard of the change, the announcement will probably come as a surprise, while to all is due a statement of what the movement means and how it came about. As is well known to almost everyone, when the effort was made to organize the first school for the teaching of dentistry, nearly seventy years ago, it was proposed that it be made a department of the medical school already in existence and of high standing. The offer was rejected bv the medical authorities because of the supposed inferior status of dentistry at that time. No other way being open, the school had to establish itself as a separate or independent institution with an individual charter, building, equipment and teaching corps. Having proven successful, other institutions of like character gradually became established in several states. Not until some thirty years after the establishment of the first dental school, and after the need of special dental instruction had become plainly apparent, did the medical school decide to organize dental departments. Later, universities with medical departments, also, in many instances established departments or schools of dentistry. The courses of instruction in the separate dental schools and those connected with medical colleges and universities have been almost exactly identical through all the years, excellent work being done in each, as shown by examinations before the State Board of Examiners. However, of later years, some preference has been shown by intending students (especially those from foreign countries) for dental schools associated with universities, a university diploma seeming to loom larger before their eyes than one issued by a separate or independent school. The Philadelphia Dental College has noticed this gradual change of sentiment for several years, and for some time it has become apparent to both the Board of Trustees and the Faculty that an affiliation with some larger educational institution would be advantageous to its interests. Temple University was thought of, but. although it had prosperous departments of Medicine. Law. Theology. Science and Art. it was not known that it desired to include Dentistry in its educational field. Tn a chance conversation between an official of each of the two institutions it transpired that Temple University did desire to have a dental college affiliation, but did not wish to undertake the establishment of a dental department de novo. Thus the way was open for conferences and negotiations which eventually resulted in a federation of the two institutions. 19

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The cornerstone was laid with Masonic ceremonies, January 13, 1897. and the building opened for the fall term of September 1st, and formally dedicated on October 4th. In honor of its founder, the hospital has been named the Garretson Hospital. It occupies a large portion of the first floor of the new building, and is very beautifully equipped with all the needs of such an institution. In 1905, owing to the increase in patients, the hospital required more room, and a demand, or rather a petition, was made to the State for money to build a new hospital on the campus of the college. Great credit is due to Dr. Boen-ning, whose untiring efforts succeeded in getting enough money to build the new hospital. The new hospital building is now fully equipped, and stands as one of the most modern hospitals in the city. This year the Board of Lady Managers presented the hospital with a fine up-to-date ambulance, which adds greatly to the efficiency of the hospital service. R. C. B. 18

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Temple University has acquired by purchase the entire plant of the Philadelphia Dental College and the Garretson Hospital. This includes ground, buildings, equipments and outstanding obligations. The Trustees of Temple University become the Trustees of our institution and regulate all of its affiairs. The teaching faculty will receive fixed salaries and be relieved of all financial problems. The Dental College will continue in its present quarters and its methods of instruction will remain practically the same. The Medical School of Temple University will remove to the Dental College building and utilize its class-rooms and laboratories in the evening when the dental students have no need of them. As will be seen by Dr. Conwell’s communication on another page, the name of the Philadelphia Dental College as well as its identity will be preserved. What does the new order of things mean to both parties interested? To Temple University it means the extension of its educational field to include an important and growing branch of humanitarian science and art. It means the acquirement of valuable property well adapted to the requirements of its medical school, whose quarters have heretofore been cramped and inadequate. It means the acquisition of a second hospital (Samaritan being its first), with increased clinical facilities for its medical students. To the Philadelphia Dental College the change means relief for the Faculty from cares and burdens of a financial or business character, so that all of their energies may be devoted to educational work exclusively. More important, however, than this, it means affiliation with an institution having an enrolment of three thousand students, offering fifty separate courses of instruction, a teaching faculty numbering one hundred and sixty, and a record for thorough and progressive educational work scarcely equalled, and certainly not excelled, by any other Eastern institution. We believe that the new order will work to the advantage of both institutions by enabling each one to aid the other. It seems like one of those occasional combinations in other fields of human activity in which neither is the loser but both are gainers. It is not too much to hope and believe that the old and honored Philadelphia Dental College, under the new arrangement, will make for better things in education and practice than it has even done in the past, and to bespeak for it in its new relations the cordial support of its three thousand alumni. S. H. G. 20