Undergraduate training in the European Union Convergence or divergence?

Abstract

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.

A survey on undergraduate implant dentistry education in Europe

“…After a similar study, Shanley et al. (8) reported a decade ago that the time devoted was on average 34 h (range 3–84), whilst Afsharzand et al. (7) mentioned an average of 20 h (range 11–50 h).…”

An investigation into the numbers of dentists from 19 European Economic Area (EEA) member states currently registered to work in the United Kingdom and key differences between the practise of dentistry in the UK and their member states of origin

“…[4][5][6][7] Such variations occur within member states, as well as between member states, and indeed between dentists graduating from the same dental schools at the same time. A further complication is that a small minority of UK citizens are now qualifying as dentists from EEA dental schools, other than those in the UK.…”

Nine years of DentEd — a global perspective on dental education

“…They identi fied a number of problems relating to the variability of undergraduate dental education in Europe and published a paper to highlight them. 5 When fund ing for the ACTDP was suspended by the EC, a number of its members inau gurated the DentEd project under the leadership of Professor Diarmuid (Derry) Shanley. The primary aim of DentEd was 'to facilitate and assist dental schools to converge towards higher standards in undergraduate dental education, sci ence and scholarship through the pool ing of intellectual resources, sharing experiences and resources, exchanging and promoting better understanding of education and training in the context of their own regional priorities.'…”