Some observations and opinions on European dentistry

Abstract

1 was fortunate to have a six-month sabbatical leave in 1973, mainly spent in western Europe. My principal intent was to study prosthodontic education, techniques, and research, but I also took the opportunity to represent the American Prosthodontic Society in their international goodwill program. I visited ten countries and 16 dental schoois and lectured or presented courses for six dentai societies. However. since I spent almost two months at Guy’s Hospital Dental School and tlvo and one half rnonths in all in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, I shall confine mv comments to these areas where I observed policies and trends that, to me, seem iniportant and relevant to dentistry in the United States. I feel compelled to add that, although my limited stay cannot oualiI’y me as ;I quotable authority in these matters. I did spend enough time and energy to collect information that has reasonable credibility. Hecallsc more than 50 per cent of the people of the United Kingdom are partially or completely edentulous,’ study in complctr and partial dentures is an important part of the dental school curriculum. I should say that this area is taught thoroughly ;1Kd well, judging from my observations in three schools visited in London. nne in Wales, and three in Scotland. At my own school and many others. denture patients are not readily available, but at Guy’s Hospital Dental School and most of thr other schools in the United Kingdom, there was no such problem. In fact, patients had an average \vait of 18 months to two years to obtain new dentures at Guy’s, One major reason is that the National Health Service provides an allowance of about $41.00 for dentures, so all patients with the least bit of difficulty (flat ridges or whatever) are referred to dental schools for treatment. I was very interested in the National Health Service, and I tried to discuss it with as many lay people and dentists as possible. My impression is that it is well accepted by the general public, it is not popular \vith the average dentist, and it i$ suicidal for a politician to even mention. its elimination.. It has resulted in the provision of basic dental care to those who choose to avail themselves of it, but only