On the present position of dental surgery, and its advancement as a branch of medical education : a letter addressed to Dr. Robert Omond, President of the Royal College of Surgeons / by John Smith, M.D.

  • Smith, John, M.D.
Date:
1858
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the present position of dental surgery, and its advancement as a branch of medical education : a letter addressed to Dr. Robert Omond, President of the Royal College of Surgeons / by John Smith, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    diseases of the dental system in man, appear in this case to render such attention equally necessary. To point out any one particular course to be pursued with such objects, and with the view of carrying these suggestions into ejBPect,. is not the purpose of these remarks. Their purposes are the inculca- tion of the great necessity existing for some improvement in the position of this branch of surgery ; the enforcement of some avail- able and general principles by which a more satisfactory mode of instruction, along with better qualifications, might be placed within the reach of those who adopt its practice: and, in advancing them, it is only echoing the sentiments prevailing among the great mass of dental practitioners of the present day. That no arrangement has been made long before this time, by which the practice of dental surgery might entail the possession of at least some surgical quali- fication, exhibits the neglect with which the subject has been treated; but this is no palliation of matters, nor any reason why they should any longer be left as they are; however much may be the dis- position to advocate liberal views in a question of this kind, not only justice to patients, but justice to practitioner, here demands immediate reform. But the irregularity and inconsistence involved in the present circumstances of dental surgery, are too clearly perceptible to require much comment; surely their improvement may be confidentl}' looked for; and that the objects we have in view in making these remarks will, at no distant period, be favourably regarded and ulti- mately obtained, seems a conviction with which any one regarding the matter impartially, cannot fail to be impressed. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, J. SMITH. Edinburgh, 12, Dundas Street, February 1858.
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