Page 11 - My FlipBook

PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION.
In the preparation of this text-book it has been the author's
aim to meet a demand in dental college Avork for a treatise on
operative dentistry which is sufficiently condensed to enable the
student to master its contents in the comparatively short college
terms at his disposal.
• The subject matter selected is that which is generally taught
by the instructors styled as "Professor of Operative Dentistry."
From a study of these teachers' courses of instruction it Avould
seem that the definition of Operative Dentistry as commonly used
today would be "That branch of dentistry which treats of the
mechanical procedures performed within the oral cavity looking
to the salvage of the teeth."
However, it has seemed wise in several instances to go beyond
the exact limitations of this definition to get a better correlation
of subjects.
The arrangement of the subject matter is different from that
usually found, but is in accordance with the usual line of progress
of dental students.
The author claims little originality in the essentials presented,
having gleaned the facts from the writings, teachings and utter-
ances of our greatest educators.
The "quiz-explanation" method of teaching is the one most in
vogue in the leading universities as productive of the most work
on the part of the classes taught, and at the same time giving
the tutor more freedom for the expression of opinions to give
individuality to his course of instruction.
An effort has been made to so publish the "Essentials of Oper-
ative Dentistry" that it Avould serve as a foundation for this quiz
course as well as be suggestive to the teacher for a more full
explanation, and, at the same time, encourage the student to ex-
tend his studies to more voluminous reference books, Avhen time
Mould permit, for an explanation in greater detail.
The author is much indebted to his co-laborer, partner and wife,
]Mattic ]\r. Davis, D.^M.D., for valuable assistance in connection
with the publication of this volume.
W. C. D.