Need for Very Close Collaboration between the Medical and Dental Professions

I have, right from my days as a medical student, wondered why it was considered necessary for dentistry to have an independent existence from the other branches of medicine. It has always appeared bizarre and incongruous. After all dental care is an integral component of health and dental conditions do have a bearing on the other parts of the body affecting nearly every system. It was reassuring to learn that one of the recognized all-time greats battled with the same dilemma.