The first edition of this pioneering text titled Oral Medicine: Diagnosis and Treatment, was published in 1946 just after World War II. The text was written entirely by one man, Dr. Lester W. Burket, with the exception of a small section on “Oral Aspects of Aviation Medicine” written by a major in the Dental Corps, Dr. Alvin Goldhush. In this preface, Dr. Burket wrote that “Oral Medicine discusses the many important relationships between oral and systemic disease and it suggests opportunities for a more universal and intimate cooperation between medical and dental practitioners in giving the best possible health service to our common patients.”
We believe that the 11th edition of this text follows the example set by Dr. Burket and provides the clinician with an up-to-date description of all major aspects of the science and practice of modern Oral Medicine, with the goal to enable the clinician to provide the best health service to their patients.