Advancements of Dental Science in 1900s

The unparalleled leadership of American Dentistry beginning in the 1920s developed largely because of the improvement and consistent reliability of dental materials brought about by the research programs at the National Bureau of Standards from 1920s until present day. This advancement in dental science was due to the symbiotic private and public sponsorship of research programs by the cooperative research group between the American Dental Association and the National Bureau of Standards. In the oral history interview of George C. Paffenbarger, D. D. S, he explains his involvement as a researcher and leader in the dental field as well as advancements made due to the work of this research program. Dr. Paffenbarger’s own dedication to purpose and constant endeavor to enhance and expand the science of dental materials is evident in his recollections of programs and events in which he participated. The integration of government regulation in standardizing dental materials was pertinent to the forward growth of the dental field. Dr. Paffenbarger’s account is informative and perceptive, demonstrating how the emerging vision of “professionalism” in American dentistry could be accomplished through the advancements of the dental field. The beginnings of government funded dental research begun during World War I when the Army wanted to procure dental amalgam but had no criteria. At the time the National Bureau of Standards was the chief physical laboratory to the government so the Army wrote to them requesting a standard for amalgam in order to put in a bid request in 1919. Separate manufacturers were producing dental materials but due to the lack of authoritative literature in dental materials orders for these products were based on advertised brand names not facts. The National Bureau of Standards contacted Dr. Wilmer Souder, a physicist, whose further research exposed the lack of knowledge about dental materials used in practice. Dr. Paffenbarger’s account of Dr.

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