Dental Education at the Crossroads

Six dental schools have closed in the last decade and others are in jeopardy. Facing this uncertainty about the status of dental education and the continued tension between educators and practitioners, leaders in the profession have recognized the need for purpose and direction. This comprehensive volumethe first to cover the education, research, and patient care missions of dental schoolsoffers specific recommendations on oral health assessment, access to dental care, dental school curricula, financing for education, research priorities, examinations and licensing, workforce planning, and other key areas. Well organized and accessible, the book: Recaps the evolution of dental practice and education. Reviews key indicators of oral health status, outlines oral health goals, and discusses implications for education. Addresses major curriculum concerns. Examines health services that dental schools provide to patients and communities. Looks at faculty and student involvement in research. Explores the relationship of dental education to the university, the dental profession, and society at large. Accreditation, the dental workforce, and other critical policy issues are highlighted as well. Of greatest interest to deans, faculty, administrators, and students at dental schools, as well as to academic health centers and universities, this book also will be informative for health policymakers, dental professionals, and dental researchers. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Background and Introduction 2 Evolution of Dental Education 3 Oral Health Objectives and Dental Education 4 The Mission of Education 5 The Mission of Research 6 THe Mission of Patient Care 7 Dental Schools and the University 8 Dental Schools the Profession, and the Public 9 A Dental Work Force for the Future 10 Summary and Conclusions References Appendixes Index