PGY1: what is it and why is it important?

The interest in a year of additional training for the practice of dentistry has grown over the past fifteen years. Debates at national conferences and careful study by committees of professional organizations led to the recommendation that over the next five to ten year period the profession should move toward creating a postgraduate experience for each graduate prior to independent practice. While study of this issue will undoubtedly continue, it behooves us to proceed with the process of expanding the number of postgraduate positions, first, to meet the demand by graduating students who are voluntarily selecting a year of additional training, and later, so we are at a position to fully consider such a year as mandatory for independent practice. If we use the next five to ten years productively, we can create an environment where the public and the graduates will benefit from this additional year of training.