If you ask anyone as to which is the cradle of science and technology in recent times, undoubtedly the credit goes to America.The developments in Technology especially in medical fields parallels none. We must agree that every bit of our life today has been changed and touched by technology.Every walk of our life has been touched by technological advances. Medical science is one such field where we can say that technology has revolutionized this science. It is true even in the case of Dental sciences also.Earlier on Dental science was more a mechanical and technical professional. If you consider the advances made today in this field including usage of dental implants, bio friendly composite materials as well as sophisticated instrumentations, radiographs and other new methods of treatment, you will understand that we have come a far way today. Thanks to the dental sciences and the people involved, the overall awareness as well as the dental health of the population has im proved.It is quite interesting to note that all fields of dentistry including the research, dental practices as well as dental education have improved in the last one hundred fifty years. However the adaptation of science in dental education may be said to be of recent origin going back to the last fifty years.Dental history of United States has been largely shaped due to several factors important of which were the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Report of 1926 and the vision of William J Gies. At the time Dr.William J Gies worked at the Columbia University in New York as a biological chemistry professor. The credit of introducing research in all dental schools as well as adapting scientific approach to dental practice and studies in all universities goes to him.It is due to his efforts that led to employment of well trained teachers and beginning of research in this field.By 1928, the American Dental Association began to conduct examinations with specif ic subjects that included the basic sciences as well as mechanical aspects of dentistry. As more researchers began to be engaged in the field, the number of scientific journals and publications too increased fuelled by the research community. In the year 1948, the National instate of Dental research was introduce. The second event that made a mark in the history of dental sciences in the country was the immigration of European dental scientists namely Bernhard Gottlieb, Peter Weinmann and others in 1920s and they contributed to the advancement of dental sciences and surgery in a major way. They were the best scholars from University of Vienna specialising in biological dentistry.Hitherto US had established its expertise in technical side of Dentistry including restorative dentistry. In the year 1948 US established National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and this institute was largely responsible for converting the conventional technical practice oriented dent al science to that of a specialised practising branch of science that specialised in preventive and restorative dentistry. Study and research into craniofacial functions and advanced treatment options were funded and encouraged by the institute. All of these efforts and years of research paved way for modernization and development of modern dental practices that involve use of advanced bio friendly composite materials, tools, aids as well as dental sealants and highly sophisticated procedures like the cosmetic surgery, acid etch bonding as well as the treatment of periodontal disease as well as oral cancer coupled with salivary and other related functions. It is because of the dedicated research and efforts put in by all these people that the dental health in the country is where it is today.
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