Science and the shifting paradigm in dental education.

Dental education is faced with continuing challenges to adjust to external as well as internal pressures. These pressures are coming from a variety of sources that are often inconsistent in the nature and direction of change they would bring about. Pressure on the future direction of dental education are coming from sources such as an Institute of Medicine report, Pew Health Professions Commission reports, changes in the academic health centers in response to health care reform, and expectations of parent universities. Reactions to these and other forces are bringing about changes in the nature and extent of scientific research in schools of dentistry. As the educational programs continue to evolve, research will receive greater attention, and more of it will be funded from private sources.