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

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ANATOMY SAMUEL H. RONKIN, B.S.. D.D.S. Assistant Professor of Anatomy EDWARD J. HOLLAND. M.D. Instructor in Anatomy JOSEPH M. LIMOUICO, A.B., PH.D.. M.D. Assistant Profossor of Anatomy

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THE INTEGRATION OF DENTISTRY AND MEDICINE Both the dentist ond the physician are concerned primarily with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in its broadest aspects, which frequently requires the closest cooperation between the dental and medical professions. This is true not only because the dentist is frequently in position to first detect or suspect vitamin and other nutritional deficiencies. various endocrine dysfunctions, gastrointestinal disturbances, certain anemias and other blood dyscrosias, early and late syphilis, etc., but because of the importance of focal infection of dental origin in the etiology of various systemic diseases, the psychosomatic importance of malocclusions and other deformities, the relation of heart disease to dental operations, etc. Consequently, the modern dentist should have some knowledge of disease processes elsewhere in the body and in this respect he or she is no different from any other specialist in medicine and surgery. In other words, I have long regarded dentists as physicians in the broadest sense who have elected to specialize in stomatology. Certainly modern dentistry is no more a mechanistic profession than surgery since both require the same knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology in addition to their individual and special technics, training and experience. Under the circumstances the importance of instruction of dental students in clinical medicine by lectures and clinics is now widely recognized, with the result that, about thirteen years by JOHN A. KOLMER. M.D.. DR.P.H., M.S., D.Sc.. LL.D., L.H.D.. F.A.C.P. Professor of Medicine in the School of Medicine and School of Dentistry. Temple University: Director of the Research Institute of Cutoneous Medicine. ago. I hod the honor and privilige of instituting such a course in our School of Dentistry. Fortunately this instruction need not be as thorough as that given in medical schools, especially in relation to treatment, except as this may be dependent on, or be modified by, dental measures. But, if a practical working knowledge of clinical medicine is now required of dental students, it is also advisable for medical students to receive adequate instruction in oral diseases of medical interest in view of the importance of oral health in general practice and in most of the specialties in medicine and surgery. To this end. I am happy to state that, about ten years ago. I also had the privilege of instituting such a course in- our School of Medicine which is now largely given by Dr. James R. Cameron and Dr. John E. Buhler of our Dental Faculty. It is evident, therefore, that dentistry and medicine are becoming progressively more integrated. to the advantage of both professions and especially to sick humon beings. This does not require that dentistry be reduced to a mere department of medicine. Personally. I am unalterably opposed to any such an arrangement. Like most physicians. I never knew the greatness of dentistry as a separate profession until I began to gradually learn more about it ot the School of Dentistry. All that is needed is the instruction of dental students in a certain amount of clinical medicine and of medical students in a certain amount of clinicol dentistry. 23