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…

Future dental practice is seen to include not only the electronic dental record (EDR) but a fully electronic clinical dental documentation package, computer-assisted diagnostic support, and digital imaging. The EDR's development since the 1970s is reviewed. Specific suggestions are made concerning hardware, software, administration, and practical…

Marquette University's experience with two extramural clinics are described. Students spend six weeks at these sites, primarily to involve them in assessing and caring for the dental health needs of patients whose ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds are different from the populations at a clinic on campus. (MLW)

Dental education has evolved through four major periods: reorganization, the growth of research, the golden era, and a time for reflection. Dental schools face difficult choices as they consider curriculum revision. (MLW)

The "practice" aspect of the dental profession is reviewed. It is suggested that there is no way to separate education, practice, research, financing, government, science, business, management, motivation, and the public from one another. Retail dentistry, health maintenance organizations, franchising, advertising, and denturism are…

Through a strategic plan the University of Southern California School of Dentistry will achieve a new balance between research, postdoctoral education, predoctoral education, and patient care. In achieving this balance, the school will become an integral part of the USC communities. (MLW)

This speech examines the role of the health profession schools within the university and how they may relate to both the university and society. The author examines how dental schools can move more effectively into the future by properly addressing the newer realities within the university and society. (GLR)

A discussion of required postdoctoral dental training looks at forces shaping the future practice of dentistry, educational objectives for the postdoctoral year, unanswered questions, and key factors in postdoctoral program implementation. (MSE)

Definitions are provided, fundamental goals and issues are described, and approaches to quality assurance are reviewed. These topics are oriented in terms of their relationship to dental education and comprehensive care. (MLW)

Administrative decisions about the future of dental hygiene programs are often based on inadequate information about employment trends and about the importance of the dental hygienist in dental practices. Studies indicate that demand for dental hygiene services will remain high in the 1980s. (Author/MLW)

A historical perspective and a description of the current status of behavioral sciences in dental education are provided. One organizational approach for developing goals and objectives is suggested. Holistic health is seen as the broadest application of behavioral medicine. (MLW)

Columbia University's plan to strengthen the education of the general dentist is the result of the school's academic leaders and faculty's success in visualizing the benefits of three concepts: broadening the medical content of the core curriculum, increasing educational opportunities in nonspecialty career paths, and providing a postdoctoral…

Health care system changes since 1965 are reviewed. Areas in which hospital dental care can contribute to improved dental services are discussed, including the promotion of dentistry as primary care, progress in obtaining adequate reimbursement for oral health care, integration with other health professions, and improvement of credentialing and…

The relationship between clinical teaching and research in the basic sciences is discussed. The same energy expended to enhance clinical research will also efficiently build new curricula; ease the strains associated with assigning a priority to teaching or research; and serve to further science, teaching, and technology transfer. (MLW)

Principles of planned change are interpreted in the context of dental schools' characteristic structure, goals, leadership, and communication mechanisms. Traits of change and successful strategies for achieving it are offered. (MSE)