Governmental expectations of dentistry.

The interests of governments in dental health are recognized but not always best served in communication with the dental profession. Nor does the profession communicate readily with the public. In seeking to influence governmental policies, there is a need to collect and interpret data on dental disease in forms which will make impact within the governmental framework and lead to more rapid action. Greater public awareness will help in the formulation of government policies but only if dictates for action are supplemented by explanations of their aims. Dentistry must be more prepared to listen to government and to approach the solution of common problems in a constructive and flexible manner. In doing this dentistry must aim to provide services to which all will have access.