Dental education is recognizing the need for a one-year required postdoctoral experience in general dentistry to relieve overcrowding in the four-year D.D.S. curriculum and provide needed health services. Enrollment trends and projections suggest that the system can make space for these students, but planning is needed to finance the new…

Presents results of a work group convened by the American Association of Dental Schools to examine experiences related to postdoctoral general dentistry (PGD) programs linked with managed care systems and clinical settings. The group identified factors and conditions believed to be critical to the planning, development, and conduct of PGD programs…

United States institutions awarded 42,705 doctorates in 1997, the highest one-year total ever, and a 32% increase over a decade ago. Some fields, primarily the sciences and engineering, experienced declines. Data are presented on the demographic characteristics and employment/postdoctoral education plans of doctorate recipients, institutions…

The currently used internal and external program evaluation processes for general practice residency and advanced education in general dentistry programs are discussed, noting accrediting and evaluation groups, criteria, and designs. A generalized evaluation plan is proposed. (MSE)

The availability of opportunities and the development of an academic career in a physiology department within a medical school or basic science department by graduates and postgraduates who intend to participate in physiology on a full-time basis are discussed, emphasizing typical background and job responsibilities. (Author/DC)

Describes free-standing post-degree training programs in marital and family therapy and focuses on the Marriage Council of Philadelphia and the Blanton Peale Graduate Institute. Such programs have continuing possibilities for flexibility and innovation in the training field. The free-standing institute is the almost complete integration of…

Reports on a survey of United Kingdom postgraduate distance learning students' use of libraries. Among key findings is the influence of course providers' expectations in determining library use and students' perception that course providers frequently underestimate the need for library use that their courses entail. (Author/AEF)

A survey of 136 general practice dental residency directors and 52 advanced education in general dentistry program directors investigated the extent to which program graduates possessed 85 different competencies, and their need for those competencies at graduation. More agreement than disagreement was found, but with considerable variation…

Discusses limitations in China's regulations and restrictions concerning students studying abroad. Encourages openness, more funding, allowing for postdoctoral research, increases in time spent abroad, and allowing spouses to visit or accompany students. Quells brain drain fears. Generally urges reform and greater investment in education. (CH)

Describes Georgia State Board of Regents's model for increasing the presence of African American in administrative positions in the Georgia state university system. A postdoctoral internship program selected faculty members with an interest in administration in higher education. The author's own participation is described. (SLD)

Carolinas Medical Center (North Carolina) initiated a behavioral training program for general practice dental residents to develop skills in handling patient anxiety/stress, obesity, and depression. The program includes monthly seminars, a clinical rotation in behavioral medicine with additional related seminars, and a month-long clinical rotation…

A challenge now faced by dental school administrators is to maintain the feasibility of federally funded postdoctoral general dentistry residency programs when institutional, educational, and economic priorities stretch institutional limits. Some existing programs can offer ideas and insights through their diverse and nontraditional funding…

The University of Maryland at Baltimore's 12-month graduate program in general dentistry focuses on comprehensive care and treatment planning in a simulated group practice environment. To achieve its goal of self-support, the program solicits training grants from international corporations, generates income from clinical facilities, encourages…

Perspectives on graduate education and the preparation of college faculty are considered, as well as the roles of the undergraduate and postgraduate years, by the president of the Council of Graduate Schools. Undergraduates usually pursue graduate studies because of research and scholarly interests, and graduate education is almost always…

The potential effects of required postdoctoral dental training programs on the predoctoral applicant pool, predoctoral curriculum, patient pool, faculty and administration, student, specialty and postgraduate programs, and general practice residency and advanced general dentistry programs are examined. (MSE)