title: The dignity of the drill.
abstract: A dental historian eulogizes the handpiece as a symbol of the profession. The popular image, especially in literature, of a whining instrument for inflicting pain is contrasted to dentists' appreciation for the technical sophistication and functional elegance of this indispensable tool of the trade.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Curtis
mesh_terms: D003754:Dental High-Speed Equipment / Q000266:history*; D003762:Dental Instruments / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008093:Literature, Modern / Q000266:history; D008513:Medicine in Literature; D011037:Poetry as Topic / Q000266:history