DENTAL MATERIALS - Restorative Materials; Dental Resins, Miscellaneous Dental Materials, and Dental Gold/Alloys; Gypsum Products, Dental Waxes, and Impression Materials

DENTAL MATERIALS
INTRODUCTION

"Every tooth in a man's head is more valuable than a diamond."

From "Don Quixote"

"For there was never yet a philosopher
that could endure the toothache patiently."

William Shakespeare

The lines above hold as true today as when written more than three centuries ago!
Consider these quotations as they apply to a fighting soldier of the United States
Army and you can readily understand the importance of military dentistry. A rifleman or
squad leader with neglected teeth threatens the efficiency of the entire platoon. A
toothache can impair physical and mental powers or even knock a man out of action.
Servicemen must stay healthy, and your job as a dental specialist is to help keep them
physically fit. The Dental Service is charged specifically with the conservation of oral
health and with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases, injuries, and
deficiencies among military personnel.

This course deals with the composition, property, use, and manipulation of
materials used in the dental profession. This basic information is vital for the fulfillment
of your role in assisting the dental officer toward the successful accomplishment of the
mission of the Army Dental Service.

Course Components:

This course consists of three lessons. The lessons are as follows:

Lesson 1, Restorative Materials.

Lesson 2, Dental Resins, Miscellaneous Dental Materials, and Dental Gold/Alloys.

Lesson 3, Gypsum Products, Dental Waxes, and Impression Materials.

Here are some suggestions that may be helpful to you in completing this subcourse:

--Read and study each lesson carefully.

--Complete the course lesson by lesson. After completing each lesson, work
the exercises at the end of the lesson, marking your answers in this booklet.