6 FUTURE OFDENTISTRY

Vision and

Recommendations

CHAPTER

2

To guide the development of policy recommendations, members of the Future of Dentistry project adopt-

ed the following statement of vision and guiding principles.

VISION STATEMENT:

Improved health and quality of life for all through optimal oral health.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

1. Improving the health of the public in a socially responsible and culturally competent manner is
   the primary goal of the dental profession and will remain dentistry's central focus.


2. The profession must continue its commitment to the adoption of appropriate science-based prac-
   tices so essential to the future of dentistry.


3. A strong educational system is critical to the future of dentistry.


4. An aggressive approach to health promotion, disease prevention, and access to appropriate care
   will improve oral health and quality of life.


5. Closer collaboration among all health professions will contribute to achieving dentistry's primary
   goal of improving the health of the public.


6. The dental profession must develop a global perspective and an action plan to fulfill its responsi-
   bility as part of the world community.

The dental profession must establish a rapid, flexible and effective response system for predicted and

unknown changes in health care delivery, education and research in the future. Dentistry has numerous accom-

plishments resulting in the improved health of the public, but more needs to be done. The answers and the chal-

lenges are at the interface of the traditional areas emphasized in this report. The dental profession should now

be ready to take a leadership role for the nation's oral health, building upon the base it has established.

This chapter presents a number of recommendations intended to encourage professional organizations

and other groups to support existing and new programs.