A method developed at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine for teaching modification of cavity design to large numbers of preclinical students in operative dentistry is reported. It standardizes the learning process for this complex problem-solving skill. (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)

Examined the attitudes and knowledge of 283 dental and medical students at different stages in their professional education. No significant deterioration or improvement in attitudes toward the aged was found in the course of medical and dental education. Correlational analysis revealed a complex relationship between knowledge and attitude scores.…

To ensure that foreign dental graduates have the knowledge and professional skills necessary to practice dentistry in the United States, several dental schools have established international student programs. A study to determine effective predictors of the success of foreign dentists at the University of Southern California is reported.…

A program at the University of Oregon designed to attract and graduate underrepresented minorities and disadvantaged students in dentistry is reported. The programs consisted of three phases: career orientation, recruitment, and academic enrichment/retention. Effects of the program (including increased enrollment) and recommendations for program…

Recent Institute of Medicine directives for better use of oral health services can not be accomplished without health services research. One central research need concerns outcomes and effects of dental treatment. This will require better measures of a patient's oral health status, data on cost-effectiveness of common dental procedures, practice…

Provides a brief survey of informatics, defined as the application of information technology to various fields, with respect to its historical background, disciplinary identity, fundamental aspects, applications, and challenges. Highlights include biological, clinical, dental, environmental, geomatics, health, legal, management, medical, museum,…

The University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, has begun the process of evaluating a strategic plan through the design of a performance evaluation system. Renovation of the predoctoral curriculum focused on decompressing the curriculum, adding flexibility, and improving basic science instruction and the clinical experience. (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…

Outcomes assessment reduced to its simplest definition is quality control. Characteristics of the new Accreditation Standards for Dental Education Programs include: patient oriented, take a definite posture in relation to the specialties, create a minimally educated practitioner, are process oriented, and provide a form of quality assurance in…

Dentists and dental hygienists are in a unique position to identify an eating disorder patient from observed oral manifestations and to refer the patient for psychological therapy. The inclusion of information on general and oral complications of bulimia and anorexia nervosa in dental and dental hygiene curriculum was examined. (MLW)

The curriculum guidelines are intended to prepare the general dental practice resident for involvement with the physical, emotional, and psychological issues faced by patients with mild to severe disabilities. The guidelines address education goal, prerequisites, core content outline, specific behavioral objectives, sequencing, faculty, and…

The American Dental Association Office of Quality Assurance's current programs include liaison with national health organizations, a comprehensive report of quality assurance, a health policy agenda for the American people, encouragement of peer review organizations, a Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and…

School-based, as contrasted with hospital-based, programs in advanced education for general dentistry (AEGD) will continue to grow because of changing disease patterns favoring provision of a broader range of dentistry services, need for additional training, student demand, and institutional desire for increased enrollments. (MSE)

Discussion of the use of simulations for licensure testing highlights the Dental Interactive Simulations Corporation (DISC) project that uses interactive video patient simulations for dental education and licensure. Topics addressed include reliability, validity, test administration issues, effects of fidelity on reliability and validity, and…