In 1918 there were about 46 institutions within the border of the United States and its possessions engaged in the exclusive teaching of the science and art of dentistry. These institutions are partially bona-fide departments of universi ties, partially correlated therewith, or they are conducted as private schools. The present dental curriculum consists of four annual sessions each in consecutive academic years; each aca demic year consists of a period usually begin ning about the first of October and lasting until the middle of June. In most institutions the courses in dentistry are open to women on the same terms as to men. For the session 1918-19 the preliminary educational requirement for matriculation is the completion of a standard four-year high school course or the equivalent, which (in the States of New York and Pennsylvania) must include the satisfactory completion of a one-year course in an ap proved high school in each of the following sciences: physics, chemistry and biology, or in lieu thereof, the passing of each of these sciences at 75 per cent or above in examinations conducted by the Bureau of Pro fessional Education of the respective State or other state examinations of equivalent grade. These requirements may be satisfied by a certifi cate from an approved high school or a prepara tory school of equal academic grade or by en trance examination. At the close of the course of study the student who has fulfilled all the requirements satisfactorily receives his degree. This degree in most institutions is designated as Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), while a very few (Harvard, Minnesota, etc.) confer the degree of Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.). The practice of dentistry is regu lated separately by each political division of the United States. Examining or licensing boards look after the enforcement of the laws regulat ing the practice of dentistry in each individual State. In most instances the pre-requisite for obtaining a state license is the possession of a bona-fide diploma from a reputable dental school recognized by the National Association of Dental Examiners. Interchange of licenses is practised by a few States. There were in 1918 approximately 47,000 registered dentists in i the United States, i.e. about one dentist to each 2,000 inhabitants. A lower ratio (about one
to three or five thousand) may be recorded fcir other civilized countries. The dental profession of the United States, in harmony with other professional callings, has formed numerous associations for the promotion of scientific intercourse, among which the National Dental Association, the respective State dental associa tions and many city and county dental societies are most influential bodies. The dissemination of useful professional knowledge is readily accomplished through numerous current period icals, of which 28 appear in the United States. The Army and Navy Dental Departments offer excellent opportunities to the recent graduates. In 1918 the army dental corps numbered 210, the dental reserve corps 5,124 (of which 1,337 were on active duty), and the dental corps of the National Guard 261. A proportionately less number was enlisted in the navy. During the closing hours of the 65th Congress a bill was passed and approved which states that within the Dental Surgeons Corps there shall be °com missioned officers of the same grade and pro portionately distributed among such grades as are now or may be hereafter provided by law for the Medical Corps, who shall have the rank, pay, promotion and allowances of officers of corresponding grades in the Medical Corps, in cluding the right to retirement as in the case of other officers?' Bibliography.— Bennet,