The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-04
and nee II wo can't become more familiar

Inc UNIVERSE. desire oil all dentists
should be that our progress may continue
and We must not neglect the, chief means
to that end, namely, the education OF our
young men. II Is TO them we are TO look
Tor increased dignity and standing as a
profession; and this being true. we should
see TO 10 that their education is more
thorough. In most Of our schools young
man can, with $500 orS300, and eight or ten
months attendance at lectures, receive u
diploma which certifes him to be capable
OF practicing scientifically all tho branches
OF our profession. Now it is hardly posi-
bic for him TO obtain thorough knowl-
edge OF dental anatomy alone In that time.
lie cannot value this diplomats he should,
since we value nothing that costs but little.
Recently in conversation with a young
graduate OF one Of our most reputable
colleges, We learned that he had never
seen an anmsthetic administered, never
seen an artificial tooth crown inserted, had
only put in about dozen gold Filings, and
knew absolutely nothing about working in
gold plate. Perhaps this is not fair illus
tratlon, yet i shows clearly the superficial
education with which many OF our young
men begin practice. The truth Is we have
too many colleges There are now about
thirty IN tho United States, and each year
gives birth TO a new one. Every city Of
any consequence in this country must
have a dental college. The practition-
ers OF tho city, urged by their
their false IDEAS Of rep reputation a
gladly undertake the very responsible DO.
siiion OF instructors, forgetting they are
sacrificing the welfare OF their profession
A ur 70 hat al c.
rs this character OF ambition exists there
Is no estimating the number Of colleges
and the consequent evil results. We know
that the colleges have done fully their
share in our advancement, but there is
such n thing as OVERRIDING Il, and bringing
about state OF affairs that will be in
furious 10 the true interests Of our pro-
lcssion. We who have been In active
practice for years well know how little WI
know when we received our diplomas,
and have not failed 10 note almost daily
the evils OF the two-term quick education.
With our present system Of education, the
statistics Of the medical profession will.
We think, soon apply to the dental. "oi
every 1000 graduates, sevcnty-iivo only
make themselves Il name and PROM
inence in their calling; 200, hay
rich by their practice and judicious in
vcstments; 400 abandon in whole their
profession for some moro lucrative bust
ness; aud the rest struggle with
some little ability for n baro subsistence,
and wearying effort TO keep up appear.
ances before the community. Shall wo
allow this 10 become true2 Is there moth
ing 10 be done? DIR. John A. Rauch shows
In his medical statistics that graduates
from the long term schools. that Is, those
oxactlng four years study and three courses
Of lectures. furnish the highest proportion |
OF successful and prominent members Of |
the profession. Let them increase the |
length aud number OF terms, increase the |
fees and decrease the number OF schools. |
The American Dental association rcaliz- |
ing the necessity for reforms, have, we |
believe, passed resolution 10 have the |
terms increased from four or five months |
70 nine, and require attendance OF not less |
than two such terms. We know OF only |
two or three dental schools that have had |
the courage TO raise the standard and in |
crease the number and length OF terms.
They require twenty full months, |
and seldom grant diplomas under
thirty months. We believe that most OF
our schools would make this change were
they not afraid Of losing their students,
thereby lcsscning their receipts. They
know that the majority Of their applicants
arc Of that character "a 10 seek low-iee,
shorttcrm school. Indeed, We arc told
that the chief feature Of letters Of inquiry
Is the question: "What Is tho least posi-
bic time aud what Il the least possible cost
10 got through2'
Dr. Garnet, In his recent address before
The American Medical association, suggests
that each applicant be subjected TO n
thorough examination ON the ordinary
branches OF academic study before lac Is
allowed 10 mairiculate, and then require
Tour full years OF study before granting
diploma. Now, ~ Il requires Just ms
much hard study and preparation Ia be-
romo a competent dentist ~ a physician,
why not follow this suggcstioa aud make
The louI years course universal in our
,choolsi
The most significant reflection our
schools have ever had Is The examination
81 their graduates by examining boards
They should be- such a. not 10 require an
examination Of the graduates belOru they
arr allowed TO practice IN a particular 10.
raliiy. True, these boards were not formed
continue 10 exist, aud, the majority Of
lhcm, 10 examine those with diplomas ~
well M thoso without, We think il proves
clearly that dentists aud the public lack
confidence IN the colleges. 10 Ear, the
board system has not given entire satisiac.
lion. They criticisc some OF our best
schools aud vice versa. Thoy have In
some instances been accused Of being in.
Ilucnccd by undue means 90 show prefer.
enco iur some particular school. Not n
sr'nt white since an Illinois court decided
That the boanl ilVoncd one Of the Chicago
schools, 10 the dcirmcnt OF the others.
And. too, the boards are often incompo.
lent For illustration: 4 student applied
lor diploma three or four months after
entering college ON the plea Of five
years practices Il was granted, and
\ short time aiterward he was
placed on an examining boari. Now,
~ Il u exceedingly questionable whether
boards appointed by the chief magistrates
II the States will over snhscrye tho best
Of the people aud the profession.
Would Il not bo an improvement 90 place
HE control Of practice In the State Ia the
hands oi each state association. A YOU
know, all the officers ap changed annu.
ally, and Il would 10 the duty Of each
president TO appoint competent com.
miitce 20 examine the credentials OF each
applicant, aud report the insult 20 the M.
AZ the discretion OF tho com.
niticc, the applicant bccomcs member
II the association, and his registration as
such shall bc sufficient. During the in
cryal OF the annual meetings tho prcsi.
icnt AMI secretary shall grant n Temporary
iccnso to oil they consider worthy. An
llcgltimalc practicing In tho State shall
ho REPORTED 10 the prusidcnt and sccrctarv |