Convergence towards higher standards in international dental education

This paper emanates from the findings of "DentEd" and "DentEdEvolves," two sequential European Union-funded Thematic Network Projects on Dental Education. Despite the existence of EU Directives and Guidelines, which were devised to assure comparable and acceptable standards of dental education and competence gained from training programs, there are serious differences among countries. The differences are greater in those countries about to join an expanding EU, where the stomatological approach to education predominates. Both projects had considerable support and advice from the Association from Dental Education in Europe, the American Dental Education Association and the International Federation of Dental Education Associations. An international effort is now proposed to converge towards higher standards in dental education by agreeing to broad principles for the "Profile of an International Dentist" (see www.dented.org/dresden.php3). The UK's General Dental Council recently adopted its profile of a dentist, which is compatible with and related to the EU's Dental Directives and Guidelines (see www.gdc-uk.org/pdfs/first_five_years_2002.pdf). An agreed profile provides a basis on which to structure a pan-European approach and could be more widely adopted. Dental schools throughout the world might be asked to verify those elements with which their graduates actually comply. It is also intended to use the profile as a basis for a modularized approach that would facilitate students studying elements of their course in different universities as part of an EU drive towards convergence in third- level education. It is not intended to promote a single educational approach. Unfortunately, at this stage, it will have little impact on global ill health, mainly associated with poverty and more recently the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The University of Columbia's Earth Centre has made enormous strides in focusing attention on global health and deprivation. Almost one-sixth of the world's population is starving. In sub-Saharan Africa, where poverty is exacting its greatest toll, the HIV/AIDS pandemic is devastating populations, including health care workers. Realistically, our impact as dental educators on global health will be limited. Nevertheless, a better educated and understanding profession is more likely to apply the benefits of knowledge, science and affluence to help those most in need.