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Dentists' attitudes about the importance of formal training in a variety of skills were assessed as a part of the Pew Health Professions Commission initiative to help health professional schools prepare for the future. Through a telephone survey with a 54 percent participation rate, attitudes of a national sample of practitioners were determined concerning the importance of training in 16 competencies that reflect skills, attitudes, and behaviors identified by the commission. Most respondents indicated that competency in treating and preventing disease, practicing ethically, communicating with patients, applying problem solving techniques, and continuing to learn were very important. Conversely, less than half of dentists indicated that competency in managing information, responding to cultural diversity, supporting community agencies, and working in managed care settings were very important. The opinions of graduates since 1980 about their own training in the competencies tended to mirror their ratings of importance. These results demonstrate the continuing need for dental educators to consider prevailing opinion of practicing professionals as a part of any evaluation or planning effort.

The physicians validated the traditional strengths of medical schools, but revealed curricular weaknesses in the teaching of competencies proposed as important for the emerging health care system, especially in the managed care environment.