Understanding of dental education is critical to effective commissioning of dental services, says top professor

Speaking at the Westminster Forum on  March 13 on the topic of Next steps for dentistry in Englandhe outlined the breadth and depth of education provided in dental schools, emphasising the high quality of teaching and the importance of preparing individuals for a lifetime of professionalism.  “Our dental schools are brilliant. We must value and protect them.”

He added that he was frustrated at the way in which the words education and training were often confused and also at the complexity of funding of university courses. He stated that the funding of dental schools is overly complicated with the clear risk that funding earmarked for dental training does not reach the students because of the multiple organisations other than universities it passes through.

It should be remembered, Professor Deery said, that in addition to training and education, dental schools are places where research is undertaken – often world-leading research – and patient care is provided. Students at Sheffield, where he is dean of the Dental School, as is the case in other schools are regularly on placements in general dental practice and the community dental service, yet commissioners in his area were until recently unaware of the collaboration between the dental school and primary care.