Dental Education at the Crossroads Challenges and Change (1995) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
1 Background and Introduction
1 Background and Introduction
Pages 21-34
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From page 21... ...
Advances in science, technology, and public health programs have greatly reduced tooth decay and tooth loss. Dentists are respected professionals, and dental schools are part of many of the nation's leading public and private universities.
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From page 22... ...
The purpose of the study was "to assess dental education in the United States and make recommendations regarding its future." It was overseen by an 18-member committee that was appointed after extensive consultation with dental and related organizations. The group included members with expertise and experience in dental practice and education, oral health and health services research, other areas of health professions and higher education, health care delivery and financing, and public policy.
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From page 23... ...
Even without federal legislation, concern about health care costs has already prompted major and sometimes traumatic restructuring in the way health care is delivered and financed. Increasingly, providers and consumers are finding their options limited by the growth of health plans characterize-d by capitated provider payment systems, closed panels of health care practitioners, limited access to specialists, and various other constraints.
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From page 24... ...
children experience three-quarters of the tooth decay or caries found in children. In general, minority groups and families with Tow levels of income and education and with limited access to dental services suffer disproportionately from oral health problems.
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From page 25... ...
In addition, the oral health care needs of other patients with complex medical problems such as cancer and AIDS are becoming better appreciated. Third, scientific and technological advances are reinforcing the medical aspects of dental practice as new or improved preventive, diagnostic, and pharmacological interventions challenge procedureoriented dental education.
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From page 26... ...
Other tensions have arisen from dental school efforts to increase revenues by creating faculty practice plans, to restructure departments, and to conduct research on such issues as access to dental care and the effectiveness of specific dental treatments. Failure to resolve or reduce these ten sions will undermine the efforts of dental educators to improve their performance and solidify their positions within their parent universities and communities.
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From page 27... ...
SOURCE: American Association of Dental Schools, 1993b.
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From page 28... ...
A focus on health outcomes is essential for dental professiona~s and dental schools. The effectiveness of dental services in achieving desired health outcomes for individuals and communities cannot simply be assumed but must be demonstrated to patients, other purchasers of dental services, and policymakers.
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From page 29... ...
Efforts by some dental schools to serve disadvantaged individuals and communities and to provide students and faculty with direct understanding of their needs-are challenged by reductions in public support for both education and patient care. The creation of a dental work force and faculty that reflect the nation's diversity is a goal only partially achieved at this time.
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From page 30... ...
Third, securing the resources essential for educational improvement and, indeed, survival will require that dental schools demonstrate their contributions to their parent universities, academic health centers, and communities through achievements not only in education but also in research, technology transfer, and community and patient service. Said differently, dentistry cannot pursue isolation.
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From page 31... ...
Recommendations are not directed at dental educators alone but call upon the entire dental community to work collectively toward improved oral health through more effective education, research, and practice. MISSIONS OF DENTAL EDUCATION AND ORGANIZATION OF REPORT The central chapters of this report are organized around the three basic missions of dental education: educating practitioners {Chapter 4)
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From page 32... ...
This structure, however, inevitably sharpens distinctions that frequently and usefully-blur in the operating reality of any given school. The missions of dental schools and academic health centers are clearly intertwined.
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From page 33... ...
For the sake of simplicity and emphasis, this report's discussion of the dental school within the university or academic health center is generally not accompanied by references to the special circumstances just cited. SUMMARY The future of dental education is inextricably linked to its contributions to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of oral health services through education, research, and patient care.
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From page 34... ...
Research, technology transfer, and the dental school* Research frontiers in oral health*
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