The dental curriculum in Gies' time, now, and in the future

Writing in the 1920s, William J. Gies was a champion for the importance of dentistry to general health, the scientific foundation for dentistry, and the need to develop and integrate an efficient curriculum. He argued that admissions standards should be made uniform and raised. He also proposed that the predoctoral dental curriculum should be reduced to three year's length by eliminating unnecessary material and improving efficiency. Gies called for available postgraduate experiences on an optional basis. Perhaps it is time to consider a three-plus-one model combining a three-year program focused on general dentistry with a mandatory fourth year along the lines of a postdoctoral general education experience.