Why a radical overhaul of dentistry is needed (Editorial)

Abstract

Earlier this year, a group of us met in Colombia to reflect on the future of dentistry worldwide. We wanted to understand why oral health of most populations across the world had not improved, except in a few cases, despite massive growth in the number of dentists and paradental cadres trained each year in many countries and despite the employment of increasingly sophisticated technologies in the treatment of dental caries and periodontal diseases. We were concerned, moreover, that in many cases, the situation has worsened. Why is it, for example, that among populations with relatively easy access to dental care, the mortality of the dentition is considerable, with some 25%–30% of adults aged over 65 years being edentulous? And why is it that among populations with little or no access to dental care, and who often have poor oral hygiene, most people retain most of their teeth for most of their lives. Is there something wrong with the way that our profession has been operating?