Context as a critical influence on dental education

The problems which beset dental education in many African countries are not unique to the African continent. While modified by the continent's history and present stage of development many of the difficulties are similar to those in developing and industrialised countries throughout the world. The need for oral health education programmes to produce, in the most cost-efficient manner, competent, high-quality graduates capable of coping in diverse situations is universal. This article reviews the limitations that the local context places on achieving these dual objectives and highlights the significance of the role of consumer demand for dental care in creating viable dental education programmes, particularly in poorer countries.