Response to the dental scientist model.

In general, considerable strength and much realism exist in the model as presented by Dr. McHugh. Progress in biological science is central to any scheme anticipating change in medicine, including dental and oral medicine. In my view, there are two weaknesses in his presentation: 1) a perhaps semantic difference with me over whether dentists should be trained as scientists or as individuals who can use science (fact and process); and 2) a substantive difference as to how to reinforce didactic, basic biomedical science in clinical training.