The assumption behind the fierce competition for admission to elite colleges and universities is clear: The more elite the school one attends, the brighter one's future. That assumption, however, may well be flawed. The research examined recently by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights provides strong reason to believe that attending the most…

Anatomy education in Pakistan is facing many of the same challenges as in other parts of the world. Roughly, a decade ago, all medical and dental colleges in Pakistan emphasized anatomy as a core basic discipline within a traditional medical science curriculum. Now institutions are adopting problem based learning (PBL) teaching philosophies, and…

Most dental faculty have had no formal training in education prior to their clinic instructor role, and many report a need for training in educational methods and tutorial skills. An inservice training program using prepared training materials, workshops, and practice sessions has been shown to increase instructor effectiveness. (Author/CMV)

The status of nutrition programs in dental education and practice is reviewed, problems are analyzed, and solutions are offered. Problems include lack of well-defined policy guidelines, confusion over the state of scientific knowledge, and the scope of nutrition counseling. Among conclusions and recommendations are the need to emphasize clinical…

Asserts that an education colored by research in one way of achieving the intellectual rigor necessary for the dentistry professional. Suggests that the key is cultivating in students a taste for complexity, for problems, and for problem solving. Students would therefore become people of science able to acquire and assimilate new knowledge and…

A goal-oriented evaluation system for dental education is seen as a necessity. Focusing on priority issues and showing responsiveness to the needs of society, it is suggested, will increase the likelihood of a competitive advantage for dentistry. Recommendations for changing the role of curriculum and faculty evaluation evaluation are provided.…

Current developments in dental education and practice hold tremendous potential for positive change and growth, and warrant the immediate inauguration of a planning and implementation process to exploit new opportunities rather than merely adjust existing concepts and practices. (MSE)

Theories about the future of the professions in light of the changing political economy are reviewed, and another view of the immediate future of the professions is advanced. Issues discussed include widespread deprofessionalization and proletarianization, the growth of regulation, bureaucratization and professional control, and the reorganization…

The role of the patient in dental education is examined from several perspectives, including factors influencing the patient population within dental school clinics, the role that patient care plays in schools, and opportunities for attracting and maintaining sufficient patients to provide educational experiences for students. (Author/MLW)

Explains the position of the American Dental Education Association regarding affirmative action, namely, that affirmative action represents the United States' longstanding principled and constitutional commitment to equal opportunity for all citizens. (EV)

Through a process involving identification of priorities and implementation of strategic initiatives to address them, the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry has begun a process of curriculum reform. Several stages of reevaluation and the need for sensitivity and patience are anticipated, but a better environment for learning…

Suggests that practical and emancipatory knowledge (Habermas, 1971) have been underemphasized in dental curriculum, and that until they are fostered, visions of competency and the joining of theory and practice will be difficult to achieve. Highlights strategies to foster such knowledge within competency-based curricula: problem-based learning and…

Dental schools must maintain a collegial environment of academic excellence where faculty are engaged extensively in scholarly pursuits that enhance the quality of instruction, advance the understanding of human biology and pathology, and raise the standard of oral health. Constraints imposed by the tenure system are discussed. (MLW)

The differentiation of the workforce in dentistry (dentists, dental auxillaries, others) is discussed in terms of its history, the development of the specialties, and advanced education. ADA policy and requirements are reported, including those dealing with ethics, specialization, development of general practice residencies, and needs for advanced…

This brief statement addresses the credibility of the accreditation process for dental schools, suggests that innovation and excellence be part of the process, and questions the need for the number of accrediting bodies that exist. The author argues for greater cooperation in solving the accreditation problem. (GLR)