Date of Award

6-1931

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Dentistry

Abstract

The diagnosis of diseases of the mouth is one of the most important phases of dentistry. Intelligent diagnosis requires correct theoretical training, extensive clinical experience and proper cooperation. The reason why the present practice of dentistry is sometimes criticized today is because it was separated from the practice of medicine at a time when mouth disorder, as a cause of systemic disease was not recognized and mechanical restoration of the teeth was made the foundation of dentistry. The basis in judging a man's ability was the expertness of his mechanical skill. This attitude toward dentistry, not only by the medical men, but by the laity as well, has been a regrettable weakness in the dental profession. The dentist;s work was regarded as entirely mechanical and for the purpose of repair instead of diagnosis, elimination of the cause of the trouble and prevention of further trouble. However, it is exactly this that is expected of the physician. When a patient with toxemic symptoms, - headache, fatigue, - presents himself, the physician does not, if he has the best interest of the patient at heart, just give the patient a tonic or a drug, but he has a blood count made, possible a Wassermann test also. That is, he aims at a diagnosis and elimination of the trouble, whatever it may be, not at restoration of normal feeling only, except insofar as that is obtained by elimination of the abnormal cause.

Comments

...being a thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery.

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