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

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Faculty

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CHARLES E. BECKY A.B.. LL.B., LL.D. I1 res)den I of Temple University To the Class of 1934: I pon the occasion of Temple’s recent Fiftieth Anniversary celebration, Dr. Albert L. Midgley, Secretary of the Dental Educational Council of America, declared, in an address, that a new day has dawned for dentistry—a day which brings new obligations, with new opportunities.” In its ninety years of organized development, dentistry has made substantial progress along scientific lines, and has come to be recognized as an outstanding division of public health service. In his address Dr. Midgley cited striking examples of this forward progress. These include practical anaesthesia; highly successful research in bacteriology and immunology; antiseptic and aseptic surgery: the X-Ray and radium; the astonishing progress in procedures for the conservation of public health: the creation of the nursing profession and the more recent oral hygiene auxiliary to the profession; and the development of bio-chemistry and specialism. And yet, withal, the surface merely has been scratched, and by continued assidiouft application and initiative it is possible for any of you to join the ranks of those who have pioneered in an increasingly useful profession. In extending felicitations to you upon your graduation, may I quote from Dr. Midgley s closing remark-: “The new day of dentistry is, I believe, the day of steady confidence, sincerity and altruism. The light that shines upon the future should reveal men serving one another more faithfully and intelligently than ever before.” Very truly yours, Chas. E. Beury, President.

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A Message to the Class of 1934 TT is very gratifying to me, and I greatly appreciate the privilege of once more being requested to contribute to the annual class book of the Dental School of Temple University, and I welcome this opportunity to present very briefly some of the ideals and responsibilities which will be placed upon each graduate of the class of 1934 when they take their places as members of a comparatively young, but very important, health service. In years gone by there was some doubt about the real value of dentistry as a division of public health service, but whatever question may have existed in the past, our present and immediate future activities no longer remain uncertain. The position which dentistry occupies today is largely due to the invaluable aids which scientific progress has brought to many activities of everyday modern life. Throughout the civilized world people are beginning to understand the importance of dental services. Governments, municipalities and philanthropists are furthering this recognition by establishing infirmaries and hospitals devoted to dentistry alone. School boards and heads of public institutions are demanding oral health. Never before in the history of the world has dentistry attracted so much attention or received so much consideration as at the present time. With this recognition practitioners of our specialty have themselves grown to a wider appreciation of their usefulness, and have everywhere manifested a willingness to extend their aid to the poor as well as the rich. Within the past quarter of a century it has been pointed out with dramatic effect that diseases of the mouth and teeth are frequently responsible for many organic and systemic human ills. A full recognition of this fact became a matter of immense importance, and immediately dentistry, previously excluded from recognition as a worthwhile factor in the conservation of health, and almost universally ignored by the medical profession, was compelled to assume a serious responsibility, a responsibility which rests with it today, and one which you must assume and continue to put into force. It will therefore become your immediate duty upon entering the field of dental practice to support and help to carry out such methods of recognized treatment as will best maintain the health of the mouth through an effective oral service. You must be able to thoroughly master preventive as well as curative measures, and to cultivate a full understanding and a thorough appreciation of dentistry’s obligation to the community. If you carry out these brief suggestions, your success will be assured, and the dental profession will profit much through having you become a part of it. I. Norman Broomell. Dean.