title: Where the rubber meets the road: contributions to dentistry from its practitioners.
abstract: While much is made of dentists as consumers of the innovations in dentistry through continuing education, a strong case can be made for practitioners as the creators of this new knowledge. From the mechanized drill, rubber dam, and fluoridated water to compressed air, the reclining chair, and four-handed dentistry, practicing dentists are responsible for many of the profession's most important innovations.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Curtis
mesh_terms: D003815:Dentists / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D013039:Specialties, Dental / Q000266:history; D014481:United States