title: A specialism of primary dental care?
abstract: This opinion paper contends that a wide gap exists between the theory and practice of preventive dentistry. The reasons for this lie partly in the lack of recognition given to the potential for general dental practitioners (GDPs) to deliver health-focused care to their community of patients. This lack of recognition begins at undergraduate level and is also found among GDPs themselves. The creation of a specialism of primary dental care would help to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and help practitioners to create significantly improved levels of oral health within their respective communities.
authors.affiliation: School of Care Sciences, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Wales, UK. andy.toy@talk21.com
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toy
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013038:Specialization; D013039:Specialties, Dental; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D006113:United Kingdom