Coordination and development of a graduate dental education system.

Graduate dental education will undergo marked expansion as increasing numbers of graduating dentists seek advanced training in general dentistry. In order to respond to the public's expectations for primary dental care, the profession should take steps that prevent overspecialization. The fundamental question is what proportion of the dental manpower work force should be primary dental care providers, not how many specialists are needed. Many institutions, organizations, and agencies have legitimate roles related to graduate dental education. Modification of these roles is neither necessary nor indicated if the profession can develop a mechanism for influencing the numbers and mix of graduate education programs available in the future. Suggestions are made for the organization and function of such an influencing mechanism.