The new Spanish curriculum: reasons for change

To summarize it can be stated that: The dependence of dental science on medicine in Spain has not been in any way advantageous to the profession, the practice of dentistry or the oral health of the population. Today's teaching must change if Spain is to face up to the enormous challenges of the future, including new trends in demand, the right to health and the decrease of the professional's standard of living. In future it will be necessary to include new curricular parameters, such as the organization of work, prevention and behavioural sciences, etc., with the objective of being able to provide the population with improved and more accessible services. It is necessary to reflect upon the position as regards technology, so as to be able to optimize its utilization at each appropriate level and avoid excessive dependence on industry. The new curriculum has been based on an increased amount of teaching of the basic and medical sciences, an earlier integration of the students into the clinic, a closer relationship with the community, and finally, a more integrated approach to, and methodology in, all clinical work. In Spain, both the State and the universities have made an enormous effort to bring the teaching of dental science up to date by seeking its equivalence and harmony with that of the EEC. This effort, owing to the special circumstances within Spain, has made the acceptance and extension of a profound philosophical, academic and professional change necessary.