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J Dent Educ. 71(8): 1009-1019 2007
© 2007 American Dental Education Association
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Critical Issues in Dental Education

Serving the Public Good: Challenges of Dental Education in the Twenty-First Century

Elaine L. Davis, Ph.D.; Denice C.L. Stewart, D.D.S., M.H.S.A.; Marcio Guelmann, D.D.S.; Alvin G. Wee, B.D.S., M.S., M.P.H.; Josette L. Beach, R.D.H., M.S.; Karen M. Crews, D.M.D.; Richard S. Callan, D.M.D.

Key words: dental education, oral health, dental health education, dental ethics, cultural diversity, social responsibility, professional role

Submitted for publication 01/14/07; accepted 05/15/07

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of the roles and responsibilities of dental education in serving the public good, and the extent to which they are being met, from the vantage point of leaders at the university and state level. Five questions were developed to gather views on dental education’s success in meeting the expectations and needs of the public. Fifty-one interviews were conducted with leaders at seven institutions and with public officials in six states. Overall, dental education was perceived as fulfilling its public purpose in promoting oral health, providing access to care, and conducting relevant research. However, significant areas for improvement were noted including better communication of accomplishments to key stakeholders, graduating a more socially aware, culturally sensitive, and community-oriented dental practitioner, and being a committed partner with other community leaders in improving access to care for all citizens. Current programs aimed at addressing these gaps (e.g., Pipeline, Profession, and Practice program) are discussed. Dental education can address these perceptions only by producing graduates who desire to fulfill their obligations to society and serve the public good.




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S. Dharamsi, D. D. Pratt, and M. I. MacEntee
How Dentists Account for Social Responsibility: Economic Imperatives and Professional Obligations
J Dent Educ., December 1, 2007; 71(12): 1583 - 1592.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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