EVALUATION OF DENTAL RESEARCH IN THE USSR/ SOVIET STOMATOLOGICAL INSTITUTE AND CLINICS/GEORGIAN MINISTER OF HEALTH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 29, 2013
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 14, 1961
• Content Type: REPORT

497
17^WA I HMA
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
7\elir
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning"ot the Espionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
COUNTRY ussil
SUBJECT ath Researeati ik the USSR
A
sAr.,,,,,I, .e..4 SeLdAV sa
/)( C/72/ /'Ths":?14es i
Ale'
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE ACQ
REPORT
DATE DISTR.
NO. PAGES
REFERENCES
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
Al ;Geo_
1
THIS is UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
5
4
3
2
1
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
an 11 page report entitled "Comments on Dental
Research in the USSR". This report commences with a discussion of the diffi-
culties of assessing the scope and focus of Soviet dental program because
of a philosophical point of departure of variance with western views on
dental care. Described in general terms are the following institutes:
50X1-HUM
a. Moscow Stamatological Institute
b. Various Dental Clinics in Leningrad
c. Kiev Stamatological Institute
d. Kiev Medical Institute
(1) Department of Embryology and Histology
(2) Department of Anatomy
(3) Department of Therapeutic Stomatology
e. Georgian Minister of Health, Tbilisi
f. Various Polyclinics in Tbilisi
g. Dental Clinics in Rest Homes in Sochi
- end -
C-0-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
5
4
3
STATE
I ARMY
I NAVY
I AIR
I FBI
INFORMATION REPORT INFORMATION REPORT
NOFORN NO DISSEM ABROAD
LIMITED: Dissemination limited to full-time employees of CIA, AEC and FBI: and, within State and Defense, to the intelligence compont
offices producing NIS elements, and higher echlons with their immediate supporting staffs. Not to be disseminated to consWtants,extwnel r
reserve personnel on Mort term active duty (excepting individuals who are normally full-time employees of CIA, AEC FBI, State or Defense)
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
I A?
50X1-HUM
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013107129: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29 CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
FOR UFFICIAL USE ONLY
, ?
COMMENTS ON DENTAL RESEARCH IN THE U.S.S.R.
General Remarks:
from an American point of view, dental research in Russia
today is limited. " From the Russian viecipoint,'however, this is not
necessarily true. One explanation of this apparent Contradiction lies
in the knowledge that in dental research, as well as other area? of
investigation, the nUSSiati scientist observes his national effort somewhat
out of context with the remainder of the world. Moreover, the contemporary
Russian is prone to date all significant events, including advances in
dentistry, to the Soviet Revolution some forty-ftve years ago. One must
compare this with the beginning of the dental profession in the United
States more than 100 years ago. In actuality, the current Russian efforts
in research seem to he more directly related to the increased activities
in the total dental health field now in operation under the new Soviet
7-year plan.
The problem of communication mAde it extremely difficult to determine the
scope and focus of dental research in the Soviet Union. However, there
was considerable evidence of studies being cariied out in basic biologic
research, some of which was related to dentistry. This research, on the
other hand, was not necessarily the type seen in
dental schools, -
poly-clinics, and other dental treatment instablations in Russia. For
this reason, the following report will bp limited to observations made in
the various cities where dental school's and treatment clinics'were
FOR OFFICIAL USE OttiLY
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
run urrniuu. uat OLT
Moscw
- 2 - 50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
the Moscow Stomatological Institute was the first opportunity
to view dentistry in the U.S.S.R.
only evidence o2 research
The
was
related to clinical research. In the field of oral surgery, many patients
were seen being treated for cancerous or maligantlumors in which much
tissee had to be removed. The director of this department, a trained
stomatologist, was interested in various grafting techniques for replacing
lost tissues in the facial areas. Considering the facilitiee available to
him and the problems involved in this type of work, one is amazed at the
successful treatment of several of. the cases which were presented. While
this may not be considered research under certain definitions, it was pre-
sented to the group as a research project in the field of oral curgery
There also was some evidence o2 research activity in the department that
would be classified as crown and bridge works in American dental schools.
A small group was working to develop better materials for filling teeth and
in particular developing techniques for handling the steel crowns. that were
bein3 used. The department head did not seem to have any true method of
evaluating his results, and as far as could be determined, he evaluated
the material on the basis of how soon his patient had to return for ereat-
ment of recurrent caries. Equipment in use was completely out-moded and
of poor design for the job at hand. In spite of the fact that the labo-
ratory facilities were very crowded, there were several laboratory assistants
who ray have been graduate or post-graduate students.
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
tuuUttibin uaL mud.
- 3 -
Thesi! two activities represented the extent of research activity
the Moscow Institute of Stomatology.
arrangements had been made
50X1-H UM
50X1-H UM
to 50X1-HUM
visi: some of the basic science department laboratories.
the histology department, biological chemistry department,
equivalent of an oral pathology department
were headed by persons who appeared quite competent in their
and the50X1-H UM
50X1-H UM
fields. Their laboratories were of average size and, with the exception of
oral pathology, the equipment in these laboratories was not particularly
up to date. In oral pathology they were conducting certain studies on bone
metabolism using radio-active calcium for evaluation of bone metabolism.
The equipment being used in this experiment was quite up to date and
efficient looking. Another study being conducted in this department, for
example, had to do with studies of saliva and the function of the salivary
glands in experimental animals. The Russians believe that saliva plays a
role in the mineral metabolism of the external surfaces of the enamel and
can effect the caries susceptibility of these surfaces.
In the three departments there were assigned from three to six graduate
students, and there appeared to be a couple of graduate students at work
in each department. Two of these department chairmen said that they had
published only in Russian journals. The chairman of the histology depart-
ment had just submitted a paper in English which was scheduled to appear
in an early issue of the Archives of Biology. He is also working with
the Archives of Bio gy in supplying bibliographical references for dental
research in Russian journals.
FOR OFFICIAI INF fUllY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved ficirr ufili;ialifi2i0j1t0ii/rt2n9iCIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
- 4 -
Leningrad
One of the clinics
was principally a teaching clinic
50X1-HUM
where persons in their fifth year of sehooling received clinical experience.
It was considered more or less as a special treatment center and was set
up for handling special referral patients. most of
the elinics throughout Leningrac send their special or difficult patients
to this clinic. The individual in charge of the
clinic
was especially interested in the
general field of prc.sthetics.
50X1-HUM
His ::esearch interest was in the area of measuring muscle movement and
occlusal pressures, with particular reference to prosthetic appliances.
He had a rather crude electromyograph, that looked "home made". It appeared
to be a very crude piece of equipment, and we wondered whether it would be
at a..1 possible to get usable readings of muscle movement. The remaining
laboratory equipment was in average condition but appeared to be out-dated.
In answer to the question of how this electromyograph was developed,
50X1-HUM
the chief of the clinic that there is in Leningrad a specinl
50X1-HUM
electronic workshop for the fabrication of medical research equipment. The
people in this workshop worked with investigators to develop equipment in
accoTdance to specification.
50X1-HUM
graduate students were accepted
both on a part-time basis and on what was indicated to be a full-time study
basis. It would appear, however, that only a small amount of the principal
FOR OFFICIAL USE A1 Y
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29 : CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
run urrnilAL Mt UNIT
- 5 -
investigator's time is spent in research, with the remaining time spent
in running the clinic and assisting dental treatment of special patients.
Thin was the only evidence of research activities observed in Leningrad.
Kiev
Kiev
50X1-HUM
Department of Hygiene of the Stomato- 50X1-HUM
logical Institute. Again, this clinic was where clinical training was
given to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th year students in stomatology. The Hygiene
Department had ten full-time teachers; the chairman, three full professors
and six associates and assistants. some research must be
50X1-HUM
done in all classes at this Institute. In the Hygiene Department there were
four graduate students who were training themselves for research careers.
They also had six graduate students who were getting added experience and
were planning to get supervisory positions in clinics. A group of under-
50X1-HUM
graduate students were working in the clinic
One
of the graduate students was engaged in research on the blood circulation
of the masseter muscles and another was doing research in developing special
impression techniques for dentures.
50X1-HUM
the Kiev Medical Institute, established
some 140 years ago. The present building was rather new having been built
only 7 years ago.
The first department was that of embryology
50X1-HUM
taught during the first two years of the
and histology. These subjects are
student's educational career in stomatology. The head of the department
started his career in the field of general medicine and then went into
academic life.
50X1-HUM
FOR OFFICIM IMP ONi v
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
till 111 ilium but. ;A ma
- 6-
The 50X1-HUM
department head mentioned that research as being conducted and that he
taken one to three graduate students for special studies each year. At
the present time he has a total of 12 graduate students studying under
him; none of them are stomatologists.
The second department
was that of anatomy.
the chief of this department
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
particular interests
were centered in the field of neuro-anatomy. Presently he is interested '
in the embryological development of the sympathetic nervous system. In
his library and museum,
an outstanding collection of teaching 50X1-HUM
mode:x of the anatomy of the lymphatic system and of the nervous system.
at the present time he had 15 graduate students study-50X1-HUM
ing fat his department, none of which were stomatologiats.
The dissecting laboratory for gross anatomy for student study was not made
available
The laboratory chief admitted a'serious50X1-HUM
difficulty in obtaining cadavers, and as best as could be determined there
were only come 20 cadavers for 2 to 3 hundred students per year. The
stomatology students concentrated their
and neck, and it W46 questionable as to
work they were allowed to do.
studies on the anatomy of the head
50X1-HUM
just how much practical dissection
the student headed
for ntomatology was not getting the same type of anatomy course as those
headed for other branches of medicine. There cam be no doubt, however, of
the competency of the heads of the two departments
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
in the Kiev 50X1-HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved insOr u
Relerasrei2013/07/29 : CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
wig
talla OE ONLY
-1 -
Medical Institute. In neither department was there any evidence of,
nor any comments relative to,interesta in dental problems.
At the Medical Institute in Kiev
Stonatology Department
the Chairman of the Therapeutic
ixointed cut that this was one of the newest
In thin department the
fie.ds being taught at the Medical Institute.
atudente received training in the diagnosis and treatment of decay, paro-
dontitis, and other mucuos membrane diseases. There were four laboratories
for research. In these laboratories research studies were underway on the
protein content of saliva and tooth substance using paper chromatography
techniques. Investigators were also studying capillary reaction of the
gingival tissue. The technique to measure capillary reaction in the
gingival tissue, for example, was done by a very crude type o2 apparatus
designed to create a vacuum in the gingival tissue area. They compared the
response or resonance of the capillary bed of those tissues to similar or
greater amounts of vacuum on the epidermal tissues of the upper chest area.
There was a rather crude freezing type microtome for the preparation of 50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
biopsy material in the laboratory, but it was not in use
50X1-HUM
There was also a relatively well kept clinical laboratory area at the Medical
Institute. in this laboratory students were taught
how to do blood counts, routine urinalysis and sedimentation tests, and all
other typen of clinical pathology examinations. However, there was no
visible evidence of available tissue staining equipment.
there were 12 graduate students in this department,
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
13R OFFICIAL USE ONLY
but they were not stomatologist?.
There was a new building under construction at the Medical Institute.
This nearly complete building will have an increased amount of laboratory
space, and plans are to combine three of the stomatological departments
of the Institute. The building will also have a limited number of hospital
beds for stomatological study purposes.
Another interesting aspect of the dental activities at Kiev
with the emphasis upon the field of orthodontics.
kinCergarten schools
had to do
one of the 50X1-HUM
the Russians were using,
under supervieion, muscular exercise and pressures to correct certain types
of malocclusion. One wonders about two things. Whetter the fact that the
wife Of the Minister of Health is an orthodontist results in this increased
emphasis on orthodontics in treatment programs, and, also, just how much
research is being conducted to evaluate the treatment by muscular exercise
in small school population groups. Certainly it is an opportunity for a
good scientific research project and one which, under the social concepts of
the U.S.S.R. and the way they handle school children, could be conducted
efficiently.
A further observation made in Kiev was that many of the patients in the 25
and over age group seemed to have a low caries rate. The children in the
kindergarten and the younger children in the school dental clinic appeared
to have a relatively high or at least average caries rate as based on U. S.
standards. It is not easy to determine if this variation related to
geographic areas in the city or whether it is a question of fluoride intake.
FOR POW USE ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
? run urriuun. UaL UHL ?
-9-
The water supplies of several years ago had an increased fluoride content,
but now the original well water supply is being diluted by water from a
surface source. The Russians recognize the potential of fluoride in this
dental health picture, however, the one or two persons
preferred to say that the low caries rate was a
result of good nutrition. Their educational program is emphasizing "good
nutrition for good teeth."
Tbilisi
gave
in Tbilisi
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
the Minister of Health.
50X1-H UM
a very good briefing on the development of health service
in his republic'. It is apparent that in the past few years they have put
a lot of emphasis on controlling contagious diseases, particularly mala74e
50X1-HUM
The Russians also seem to be placing more emphasis on dental health
there were only 200 "dentists" in this republic, the remainder being
stomatologists. Under the present plan these 200 "dentists" will have
become qualified as stomatologists within the next 2 to 3 years. They are
not training additional "dentists" as such. Another statement of interest
is that they had 100 stomatologists per year taking advanced training. These
individuals spend 4 months in training at the Institute of Advanced Science,
and a description of the course content indicates it is designed for graduate
training in clinical specialties.
It seemed rather obvious that the dental health program in Tbilisi emphasized
dental treatment for school children and those in nurser), and kindergarten
school. Also there were well equipped polyclinics. There was evidence
FOR nu INF Nil
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
A
1 APtifti ? ? Is^ .
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29 : CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
_ _ _ _ _
50X1 -H UM
- 10 -
from the apparently low DMT rate that there was an almost optimum fluoride
content in the water supply.
very little evidence of basic laboratory research activities in the
50X1-HUM
areas We visited in Tbilisi. This may be due to the fact that dental students
take their basic science courses in the Medical Institute and their clinir41
50X1-HUM
experience is obtained in polyclinics
It was interesting to note that the Russians emphasized physiotheraov
50X1-HUM
and hydrotherapy for treatment of periodontal disease more than in other
republics
Without doubt, there is some type of research back.50X1-HUM
ground supporting the use Of this technique in treatment of periodontal
disease. It could be that this type of treatment was emphasized in this
area, because there is a special research institute to study the effects of
climate, mineral water, hot baths, etc., in the treatment of all chronic
diseases. The Russians did indicate there was basic research going on in
the 1,!edical Institute facilities, however, these were closed at the time and
we ware not invited to visit them.
Sochi
50X1-HUM
the dental clinic of one of the rest homes
was a very efficient looking dental clinic and the stomatologist in charge
50X1-HUM
seemed to be quite knowledgeable, treat a cape of a fistula
from a periapical abscess.
using a high frequency electric current
FOR AFFICIA1 INF Y
?
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3
tut! UhiLIAL tiSE Y ?
?
- 11 -
technique which he said was used for the purpose of destroying the bacteria.
He had read about suah a procedure and he considered this his personal
research project. The area he was treating on the muco-buccal fold did
seem to be progressively healing in resonable fashion. That is the only
evidence of research in this city.
Summan
50X1-HUM
50X1-HUM
There was evidence in most places of some type of clinical
research activity, however, this was at a level well below similar research
activities
There was also evidence of the presence of 50X1-HUM
iJI
persons trained and capable of doing fundamental dental research. The rather
complete lack of necessary facilities for carrying out such research in the
stomatological departments Of the institutes suggests that such
50X1-HUM
activities have low priority at the present time, and the emphasis is being
placed on producing stomatologists. One can assume, that in the present 7-
year plan as the number of stoMatologists is increased and more emphasis is
placed on dental health, more and more scientific research will be conducted.
At the present time, however, the Soviets are using all their energy and
their facilities in increasing the number of qualified persona to bring
better dental health to the, people in the U.S.S.R.
October 1961
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A014800310001-3