ADA.org: Future of Dentistry Full Report

FUTURE OFDENTISTRY

training program and volunteer activities educate and
serve selected international communities. Dentists
work alongside physicians, nurses, physical therapists,
and other health care professionals to educate commu-
nity leaders and provide health care to those who may
not otherwise receive it. The primary goal is to increase
local capacity by teaching health professionals, that is,
train the trainers, rather than to only provide health
care services. Members enjoy sharing their skills, ideas,
and educational techniques, and the experience gives
them a broader appreciation for worldwide dental
problems and solutions.

Other Global Programs

Several professional organizations with which the
ADA has close ties are involved in global oral health
programs. Some of these might be leveraged as joint
ventures to increase their impact. The Pierre
Fauchard Academy and the International College of
Dentists encourage exchange of information and
good will among members of the profession
throughout the world. The Rotary Foundation sup-
ports many health care projects, including dentistry,
and the Academy of Dentistry International focuses
on continuing education of dental professions
worldwide for the purpose of improving the dental
health and well-being of people across the globe.
ADA members who also are members of these
organizations have opportunities for volunteerism
via direct personal involvement and indirect support
for the efforts of these organizations.
The ADA encourages international volunteerism
through its International Volunteer Award Program,
which recognizes members who have given freely of
their time, 14 or more days, to practice dentistry in
another country. Individual volunteers work with
programs such as "Healing the Children" and
"Direct Relief International," and various faith-
based/missionary and private volunteer groups that
sponsor international programs.
The ADA Online reaches out internationally and
connects to dental colleagues around the world
through the Internet. The ADA also attempts to be
a clearinghouse in the United States for internation-
al dental activities. The ADA publication
"International Dental Volunteer Organizations: A
Guide to Service and Directory of Programs" lists
many opportunities for volunteerism around the
world. Members also can access the ADA
Department of International Health to find out

about international programs and activities.

The United States Government has various com-

ponents of its executive branch, including the

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial

Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of

Health and the Division of Oral Health, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, which include

international programs and activities in their mis-

sions. The NIDCR is also a designated WHO

Collaborating Center for purposes of research and

research training. The United States Department of

Defense, through its military installations overseas

presents additional opportunities for collaboration

with international governments and professional

colleagues. Partnerships may leverage opportunities

to learn of innovations in emergency care delivery,

scientific investigations, continuing education in

civilian populations at overseas sites, and emerging

health issues encountered by researchers and

Department of Defense personnel working abroad.

GLOBALIZATION OF DENTAL EDUCATION

Globalization of education is the inevitable result

of several factors present during only the past sever-

al decades:

u The expansion of international travel during the

past 50 years has greatly increased dental profes-

sionals' appreciation of the need for international

cooperation and, even more importantly, of the

value of international experience in improving the

quality of education in their home institutions;

uThe professional and scientific literature has

become much more international; most major

publications encourage contributions from all

over the world;

u The mass media, especially television, have

brought vital information on health status, quality

of life, and socioeconomic factors from around

the world directly into living rooms, making other

countries and cultures seem familiar; and,

u The introduction of the Internet has made infor-

mation available instantaneously throughout the world.

Status of Dental Education in Various Countries

Assessing the level of dental education in individ-

Global Oral Health