FUTURE OFDENTISTRY
all health care disciplines must discuss how best to
incorporate oral health content into their curricula,
practices and policy. Similarly, dialogue must take
place regarding those aspects of the re-
spective health care professions that in turn should
be incorporated into dental education and practice.
Research Recommendation-20:The dental profes-
sion should take the lead in convening all members
of the health care community in developing a plan
to incorporate appropriate oral and systemic health
care concepts into the respective curricula.Vision and RecommendationsRECOMMENDATIONS FOR GLOBAL ORAL HEALTH
Global oral health practices and concepts the-
matically address research, education, health care
delivery, product development, approval and distri-
bution, and health promotion. Distance no longer
is an impediment to collaborations. Language also is
becoming less of a barrier.
As dentistry acts locally, its future demands that
it must think and act globally. The future of dentistry
will favor a philosophy that joins dentistry in the
United States with the global dental community.
This approach will encompass the training and educa-
tion of dentists and allied dental personnel, systems of
dental health care delivery, and a movement toward
best practices for clinical practice, teaching and
research.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
As globalization advances rapidly in this new
century, crosscutting issues emerge that demand a
worldwide collaborative approach to solving
health problems. The leadership of the American
dental profession is essential to establish and
reinforce the importance and relevance of oral
health to total health. Dentistry must be fully
involved in international organizations and activi-
ties for research, education and clinical practice.
This involvement requires a commitment to
learning from other countries and cultures and
creates a mandate for leadership with sensitivity.
Global Health Recommendation-1: The American
dental profession should be an active partner and
leader in the global environment.
The United States will benefit from dentistry's
global involvement. As the demographics of this
country continue to change and reflect multiple cul-
tures from around the world, answers to many of
the disease management, disease prevention and
health promotion questions will be found through
collaborations with other countries.
Global Health Recommendation-2: International
collaborative networks should be established to
facilitate funding and implementing of research,
education and practice-related activities.Positioning oral health as a fundamental priority
along with other health issues throughout the
world is a challenge that must be undertaken. The
World Health Organization (WHO) is critical to
providing central guidance for efforts in the devel-
oping world as well as for information sharing and
partnerships across countries of every socio-
economic group.Global Health Recommendation-3: The American
dental profession should work to restore and per-
petuate the presence and effectiveness of oral health
programs at the WHO.PROMOTING DISEASE PREVENTION THROUGH
INFORMATION SHARINGSuccess in preventing and controlling oral disease
in the United States is dependent upon an ability to
share knowledge and expertise with others around
the world. Also, there is a unique opportunity to
promote health on a global scale by addressing
those risk factors that have a direct effect on oral as
well as general health. When countries work
together, each may be able to realize greater benefits
for the health of their citizens.Global Health Recommendation-4: The dental
profession should emphasize the importance of
addressing global oral health and general health
issues to its members and to other health profes-
sions.Dentistry must play an active role in promoting
health through active participation in controlling
the global spread of risk factors such as tobacco use,
and diet fads among others. This will require den-