DEAN SMITH OUTLINES DENTAL SCHOOL COURSE

The following article is the second of a series to be published in the Crimson dealing with the activities of the graduate schools of the University, and written by the Dean or some other prominent faculty member. The first article, written about the Business School by Dean Donham, was published on November 11.

The Harvard Dental School was established in 1865, by vote of the Corporation, in response to a request of leading dentists of that time, that the education of the dentist be under the control of the University. Previous to that time the training of a dentist--it could hardly be called an education--was in the hands of dental schools privately maintained and conducted.

Following the example set by Harvard, other Universities established dental departments, and together with Harvard, functioning through the medium of The Dental Faculties Association of American Universities, have directed the development of dental education in the United States, and exerted a wholesome influence on dental education throughout the world.

New Pre-Dental Requirements

In the fall of 1921, the pre-dental requirements of all dental schools connected with Universities that have membership in The Dental Faculties Association of American Universities, will be one year of academic work in a college of liberal arts or scientific school, and must cover the following program:

(a) All applicants must present evidence that they have such knowledge of English as is ordinarily obtained in one year in an approved college (six semester hours); Biology (six semester hours); Chemistry (six semester hours); and six semester hours of electives from the following:--

A modern foreign language.

Mathematics.

History.

Technical drawing.

Shop practice.

(b) A certificate of the completion of one year of work in Physics in an approved high school or one year college Physics.

In 1926 the pre-dental requirements will be two years of academic work, and will place the preliminary education to study dentistry on a par with pre-medical requirements.

Four Years' Course Leads to D.M.D.

The course in our Dental School leading to the University degree of D.M.D. is of four years duration. Part of this time is spent by the student in the Medical School and part of the time in the Dental School and Hospital.

Since dentistry in fact is a specialty of medicine, the dental student must have a thorough education in the fundamentals of medical science, as well as an extensive technical training. To make this possible, a close connection with a medical school is imperative. Such a connection the Harvard School has.

During the war with Germany our graduates served as commissioned officers in the British and French armies and in the Army of the United States, and rendered valuable service to our soldiers and sailors at home and overseas.

Offers Broad Opportunities

To any young man who loves the science of medicine and is interested in the doing of things requiring technical skill, the dental profession offers him broad opportunities. The unsolved problems in dentistry are many, and the field for the investigator is large.

The demand for skilled dental service to the people, in the hospitals, the Army and the Navy is beyond the present supply. Recent federal legislation establishing commissioned rank in the Army and Navy has made appointments to these departments of the Government attractive to the young dental graduate