A survey of dental schools in the European Union was carried out for two main reasons. Firstly to promote the exchange of information in respect of curriculum objectives in the different countries and secondly to ascertain the differences in the interpretation of the 1978 EU sectoral directives for dental education and training. Out of 127 schools, only 30 responded, yet the information provided is of considerable importance. It demonstrates wide divergence in the interpretation of the 1978 Directives and methods of assessment of clinical competence. There is a considerable difference throughout Europe in hours devoted to the various subjects included in the Dental Directives. There is little evidence of convergence in methods of assessment or quality assurance. The survey demonstrates the difference in resources, levels of staff, availability of clinical training places, output in research and patient treatments throughout the European Union. The results question the effectiveness of the 1978 Dental Directives in promoting convergence of standards. As there is free movement of dentists throughout the European Union, it is concluded that a different approach may be necessary to ensure that all European Union dental graduates achieve comparable standards in their education and training.

Spontaneous thrombosis of aneurysms occurs rarely in children, and, to our knowledge, there are no reports of aneurysms presenting as an embolic event in a child. We describe the case of a 3-year-old boy whose symptoms initially suggested an ischemic event to the dominant hemisphere. Initial computerized tomography scans indicated an intracranial hemorrhage. Subsequent radiographic study revealed evidence of emboli and, at exploration, a large acutely thrombosed aneurysm of the left middle cerebral artery associated with arterial occlusion was found. Entrapment of the aneurysm and thrombectomy provided excellent operative results.