| Abstract: | The dental curriculum in Western countries is still heavily biased towards technical competence in restorative procedures. Despite the evidence from many countries that curative dentistry has failed to make a significant impact on dental health, there is a reluctance to change to a preventive emphasis. Unfortunately dental education in developing countries is being modelled on the same pattern even though this is totally irrelevant to local needs and resources. The greatest need is for health education designed to influence the lifestyle of people in a way which will reduce the prevalence of dental disease. Unfortunately the dentist's present training does not fit him to play an effective part in such a programme. |
