The great advances in the profession of dentistry in the third quarter of this century can best be appreciated from a historical perspective. Anyone comparing present scientific knowledge and practices with those of past generations cannot but be overwhelmed by the remarkable achievements. Professional services, advanced therapy, and technology add to the patient's comfort and confidence and assure adequate treatment. New drugs reduce pain and inconvenience. New tools facilitate the dentist's work and enable him to achieve the best of performances. Day by day, dental education and scientific research are taking advantage of an ever-advancing technology. The Dentee's reference collection and exhibits portray the past of the dental profession by showing history-making events, inventions, and documents which throw light on pioneer dentists, their ideas, equipment, and the environment in which they lived and practiced. Together with scientific and technical advances, one now also finds an emphasis on strict ethical standards in the teaching, research, and practice of dentistry.
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