Resolved: that a fifth year of dental education be a requirement. Remarks for the negative

Those representing the affirmative side of the issue have failed to provide convincing evidence supporting the necessity of a required fifth year of dental education. The mechanism is already in place for additional education and experience through expanding general practice residency programs for students desiring additional experience. A required fifth year would increase the cost of dental education for all students at a time of diminishing resources and would undoubtedly result in greater health care costs for the public. The overcrowded curriculum can be addressed successfully and far more economically by restructuring the present predental/dental curriculum continuum instead of adding a required fifth year. In conclusion, the negative side asserts that there are more practical, less expensive, and more feasible ways to address the issues confronting dental education today than by adding a mandatory year to the education process.