Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-07-21
DENTAL LEGISLATION.
Address Delivered Before the Maine Dem
tai Society by DIR. q. VI. Twitehen Of
Fairfield.

The inventions and discoveries applying to
dental science, and the rapid advancement in
this field. the methods and means faithfully
sought for to increase the efficiency and de-
crease pain attending dental operations were
the first thoughts of the speaker, and in these
were shown how much is being accomplished
to advance the standard of dentistry Fol
lowing this he spoke substantially as follows ::
Whether or not dentistry is TO become a spec
ialty of medicine is of little Importance. This
fact is patent to all observing minds, that the
field which is legitimatey ours is constantly
increasing, az dentists grow to realize how
necessary is the health of the whole TO that of
any part and as physicians come TO feel that
the diseases of the mouth vitiate the entire
system. =. There is no question more i'm
portant to the dentist than that bearing upon
his educational accomplishments in dental
science. To the public we look for patron
age and support, and in return what do we
offer? Is it educational skill and scientific
ability of the highest order: The public, in
its just and discriminating criticisms, is the
grand regulator of the professions. Pro-
fessions are not made, they grow. They are
creatures of circumstances and conditions,
and require nutrition of a substantial order to
secure their best development.
Association, unity and harmony are among
the essentials of growth To-day the few
do not think for the many, but every man for
himself The imperative need Of individual
responsibility has not been thoroughly incul-
Gated into our students. The requirement of
mechanical skill is but partial preparation for
the duties of active practice. Persistent study
and patient, unremitting application are the
essentials for true practice. A changein our
methods of private instruction is necessary.
:. The protection of the profession from the
evils of empiricism is a duty should has
ten to perform.
As dentists we desire only this: to be
assured that whoever enters the practice be
qualified to perform the operations, educated
to meet the requirements of the times, and
maintain the dignity of the profession. To
realize this some enactments are necessary to
free us from the charlatans who may any day,
and without the least preparation, enter prac-
by all that whoever enters the ranks of
dentistry should do so only after thoroug h
training, and years of study. This should be
made obligatory upon all. =. The time
has passed for us to sit idly down and drift to
seats of honor. We must be up and doing if
we would win an hOnored position in the
world to-day. The activities and hurrvlng
enterprises wait for no man. and only he who
strives the hardest wins the most Dentistry
is to-day something more than mechanical
operations on the teeth; il enters in and be-
comes a part of the science of life and of
living. The obligations resting upon the
practitioner are to preserve life by building UP
and saving the wasting energies and by careful
treatment giving health and vigor to those
organs upon which so much depends. If
we are mindful of our obligations to our
selves. to each other. to the students who
come to our offices and TO the public, we shall
strive to throw around oil every safeguard
from quackery. and give our chosen profess
sion an honored position in the State.