Specialization in dentistry

Specialization in dentistry is appropriate for any country, in order to serve its primary functions--to provide a sound dental educational base, to meet the needs of special patients, to react to the complex needs of society on behalf of the dental profession, and to meet the growth needs of individual dentists. Each country must determine for itself the types and numbers of dental specialties it needs to meet the demands of its people. However, as specialties develop, attention should be directed toward preventing an unnecessary over commitment of resources to the education and training of more specialists than are needed. Such an excess of specialists would dilute or compromise the concept of the general practitioner, which must be maintained to insure for the public ready access into the dental health care system.