Professor Ya.M. Zbarzh and his contribution to military maxillofacial surgery and dentistry

Abstract

The information about the life of a prominent maxillofacial surgeon and dentist, one of the patriarchs of domestic dentistry, World War II veteran, doctor of medical sciences, professor, colonel of medical service Yakov Mikhailovich Zbarzh is presented in this article. Yakov Mikhailovich is origin of domestic dentistry and was among the first who created domestic military dentistry and maxillofacial surgery. The data on the formation of Ya.M. Zbarzh as a military doctor, a dentist and maxillofacial surgeon, his combat career during the Soviet-Finnish armed conflict and the Great Patriotic War are given. Turning to the life and professional and social activities of Yakov Mikhailovich Zbarzh, can be found not only interesting scientific facts from the history of dentistry and maxillofacial surgery, but also analogies with modernity, answers to many clinical problems of the specialty and medicine of today. The main directions of his scientific activity, which touched the questions of almost all sections of dentistry and maxillofacial surgery, are noted. His research is devoted to the study of methods of treatment of gunshot injuries of the upper jaw, as well as many problems of prosthetic dentistry and maxillofacial prosthetics. A great contribution was made by Ya.M. Zbarzh in the development of dental materials, creating one of the first in the world of fast-hardening plastics «Styrakril». Proceedings of Ya.M. Zbarzh were one of the most important in the preparation VI volume of the book «The Experience of Soviet Medicine in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945» by Professor D.A. Entin. It is noted that Ya.M. Zbarzh was a refined connoisseur of military dentistry and maxillofacial surgery, a true professional in these medical specialties. The proposed splint (Zbarzh splint) for the treatment of fractures of the upper jaw is still on the field supply of the Russian troops. Professor Ya.M. Zbarzh created his scientific school and as one of the founders of domestic dentistry, military dentistry and maxillofacial surgery in our country, he rightfully should be recognized as one of the patriarchs of domestic dentistry.