The need for improved facilities for graduate work in the Dental School was the point upon which Leroy M. S. Miner, dean of the school, placed most emphasis in his annual report to President Lowell.
Dean Miner's report in part follows:
One of the most important developments in the school this last year, was the work of a committee appointed to study the problem of graduate work in the various fields of dentistry. Graduate instruction has been one of the weakest spots in dental education. . . .
This committee began at once to study the subject and a course in periodontal was given in the school during the winter by a member of our staff in cooperation with two professors from New York University. The need of a serious graduate course in orthodontia was apparent to the committee, as it has been to the members of this particular department for a long time. Plans were started to organize such a course and the announcement of a graduate course in orthodontia was made in June for the coming year, this course to run throughout the entire academic year. This probably is the first course of its kind devoting this amount of time to the subject to be given under university auspices. Plans are under way for the further development of a graduate course in oral surgery, which is also greatly needed.
The health work for students was continued during the year and complete physical examinations were made of the members of the two lower classes. Numerous physical defects which would interfere with their progress in their professional work were discovered and in most instances corrected. Eye defects were found to be quite common. The correction of visual defects occurring in our students is of great importance in so exacting a requirement on vision as dentistry. An effort is being made to study the effect on scholarship of the correction of these physical defects.
Lunches for the students continue to be a problem because of the lack of proper eating-places in the vicinity of the school. Another attempt has been made to have luncheon served in the school and a woman trained in domestic science is developing this project under the direction of Dr. Fred W.Morse, Jr., who has charge of the hygiene of the students.
Semi-monthly meetings for the entire staff of the Dental School were held during the academic year for the purpose of better coordinating the teaching of the various departments, each department in its turn taking charge and presenting an outline of the work it was attempting to do. Frank discussions of the material offered were held and we look for improvement in the teaching for the coming year.
The results of the state board examinations were very gratifying. Again this year none of our graduates failed to pass their licensing examination in Massachusetts.
The student body was fortunate in being addressed during the year by Professor L. Sherman Davis, of the University of Indiana, who presented some very interesting research material on nutrition.
Limitation of funds is handicapping the research work of the school, but some interesting problems are being worked out by undergraduates. Professor Percy R. Howe is continuing his work in nutrition and has developed a purified diet for animals which may be of considerable importance later on. Dr. Howe has been given an honorary degree of Doctor of Science by Bates College for his researches in this field
