Washington University School of Dental Medicine
Encyclopedia
Washington University School of Dental Medicine (WUSDM) was the Dental School of Washington University in St. Louis
that operated from 1866-1991. Over 5,000 dentists were educated at WUSDM. Conceived several years before the Harvard School of Dental Medicine
, WUSDM was pioneer in the practice of scientific dental education previously absent in the dental profession. The school was founded by the Missouri State Dental Society and dentist Henry E. Peebles as the Missouri Dental College in 1866. It is the first dental school west of the [Mississippi River] and only the sixth dental school in the U.S. In 1892 the Missouri Dental College merged with Washington University in St. Louis, becoming the Dental Department of Washington University. In 1908 the first woman was admitted to study at the university.
In 1958 the University launched the Baby Tooth Survey
, led by Dr. Louise Reiss
and with funding from the Greater St. Louis Citizen's Committee for Nuclear Information (CNI), which studied strontium-90
absorption of children by examining their deciduous teeth
. During the 1970s the University began an experimental three-year DMD curriculum. In 1989 Wash U's Board of Trustees voted to close the School of Dental Medicine. The board claimed the decision was based upon budget deficits, increasing tuition rates, competition from less-expensive state-funded dental schools, limited outside funding, and a declining student enrollment. By 1991 the Dental School graduated its 125th and final class.
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
that operated from 1866-1991. Over 5,000 dentists were educated at WUSDM. Conceived several years before the Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Harvard School of Dental Medicine is one of the graduate schools of Harvard University. It is an American dental school located in the Longwood Medical Area in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to the DMD degree, HSDM offers specialty training programs, advanced training programs, a Ph.D...
, WUSDM was pioneer in the practice of scientific dental education previously absent in the dental profession. The school was founded by the Missouri State Dental Society and dentist Henry E. Peebles as the Missouri Dental College in 1866. It is the first dental school west of the [Mississippi River] and only the sixth dental school in the U.S. In 1892 the Missouri Dental College merged with Washington University in St. Louis, becoming the Dental Department of Washington University. In 1908 the first woman was admitted to study at the university.
In 1958 the University launched the Baby Tooth Survey
Baby Tooth Survey
The Baby Tooth Survey was initiated by the Greater St. Louis Citizens' Committee for Nuclear Information in conjunction with Saint Louis University and the Washington University School of Dental Medicine as a means of determining the effects of nuclear fallout in the human anatomy by examining the...
, led by Dr. Louise Reiss
Louise Reiss
Louise Marie Zibold Reiss was an American physician who coordinated what became known as the Baby Tooth Survey, in which deciduous teeth from children living in the St. Louis, Missouri area who were born in the 1950s and 1960s were collected and analyzed over a period of 12 years...
and with funding from the Greater St. Louis Citizen's Committee for Nuclear Information (CNI), which studied strontium-90
Strontium-90
Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope of strontium, with a half-life of 28.8 years.-Radioactivity:Natural strontium is nonradioactive and nontoxic, but 90Sr is a radioactivity hazard...
absorption of children by examining their deciduous teeth
Deciduous teeth
Deciduous teeth, otherwise known as reborner teeth, baby teeth, temporary teeth and primary teeth, are the first set of teeth in the growth development of humans and many other mammals. In some Asian countries they are referred to as fall teeth as they will eventually fall out, while in almost all...
. During the 1970s the University began an experimental three-year DMD curriculum. In 1989 Wash U's Board of Trustees voted to close the School of Dental Medicine. The board claimed the decision was based upon budget deficits, increasing tuition rates, competition from less-expensive state-funded dental schools, limited outside funding, and a declining student enrollment. By 1991 the Dental School graduated its 125th and final class.
History
- 1866‐1892 Missouri Dental College
- 1892‐1909 Dental Department of Washington University
- 1909‐1919 Washington University Dental School
- 1919‐1974 Washington University School of Dentistry
- 1974‐1991 Washington University School of Dental Medicine