The attempt to prepare students to manage problems in their dental practices must be preceded by precise identification of specific problems. The purpose of this study was to identify such problems. A random sample of practicing dentists cited collecting fees, poor patient motivation, patient fear, and broken or cancelled appointments as their most commonly encountered patient problems. The most commonly cited auxiliary problems were retraining auxiliary personnel and poor motivation. The dentists gave support to courses addressing these topics in the third and fourth years of the dental curriculum. The survey supports the increasing emphasis on behavioral dentistry curricula and identifies the most relevant topics for such courses.

In an effort to amalgamate the study of behavior into the dental curriculum at West Virginia University, four primary objectives were set forth by the authors 1) creating a positive learning experience, 2) providing general information concerning behavior as it relates to dentistry, 3) dealing with special problems related to the human developmental continuum, and 4) increasing the students perception of himself and his patients. These objectives were accomplished through a variety of teaching techniques including formal didactic lectures, open and informal discussions, and videotape exercises involving mock clinical situations. There was no formal grading, although the students were requested to evaluate the course. Generally the students were enthusiastic in their regard for the class, emphasizing their feelings that follow‐up courses should be offered.

This article describes a computer‐assisted advising system that has been in use at the West Virginia University School of Dentistry for two years. Detailed breakdowns are given for the five data items making up the Student Advising Information Package, and the relevance of each item to the student advising process is noted. A discussion of the overall operation of the system provides information relating to software development for those schools that are now operating with computers or anticipate doing so in the future.