Sumter S. Arnim, D.D.S., Ph.D.: Texas leader in evidence-based dentistry

• Published in: Texas dental journal Vol. 128; no. 12; p. 1280
• Main Authors: Johnson, James V, Jeske, Arthur H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.12.2011
• Subjects: Dentistry, Operative - history; Evidence-Based Dentistry - history; History, 20th Century; Humans; Periodontics - history; Texas; Texas
• ISSN: 0040-4284

Many lessons can be learned from the career of Dr. Sumter Arnim, chief among them that we have a professional obligation to apply scientific knowledge to the practice of dentistry and to involve our patients in their dental care, and to share this translational knowledge with one's colleagues. Arnim's work was an honor not only for the University of Texas Dental Branch (now, The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston), but for every school and student with whom he interacted. Our profession is better for having had Sumter Arnim as one of its members, and he can be credited with having played a leadership role in what is now known as evidence-based dentistry in Texas, the United States, and beyond. One of the authors of this paper (JVJ) had the opportunity to be a student at the University of Texas Dental Branch during the time that Dr. Sumter Arnim was faculty member. Dr. Arnim was deservedly respected by his students and faculty colleagues alike, due in no small part to his dedication to dentistry. This dedication to the profession was well known, as Dr. Arnim had been accepted to Yale University Medical School, but soon after enrollment there, he elected to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Pathology, rather than M.D. Dr. Arnim constantly stressed the bacteriologic nature of dental disease and the value of prevention to his Dental Branch students, serving as Director of the Postgraduate School with great distinction. His steadfast belief in the biological basis of dentistry was manifest in his frequent admonition to the student body: "You can either be doctors or hardware merchants." Finally, it is ironic that in 2011, the American Dental Association has reiterated some of Arnim's career themes in its current publication on barriers to oral health in the United States, with primary messages that include, "Prevention is essential. A public health model based on the surgical intervention in disease that could have been prevented after that disease has occurred, is a poor model," and, "Treating the disease without educating the patient is a wasted opportunity."