The scope, goals, and objectives of graduate dental education--II

This position paper on the "Scope, Goals, and Objectives of Graduate Dental Education" provides a discussion of basic working definitions and an attenuated historical review of graduate dental education, with special emphasis on the evolution of goals and objectives of graduate dental education. The goals and objectives are presented in a general context, and the following factors affecting them are discussed: (1) type of program (postgraduate or graduate) and desired end-product; (2) the specific discipline or specialty (including commentary on goals and objectives of each existing dental specialty and general practice residency program), and the suggestion for the creation of one additional specialty (dental anesthesiology); and (3) the institutional setting, with special emphasis on the role of the hospital in dental education. Suggestions or recommendations for further consideration or possible action are shown in italics throughout the paper.