SOME CONSIDERATIONS ON ESTABLISHING DENTAL CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM AND DENTAL SPECIALTY SYSTEM IN KOREA

의료전달체계(醫療傳達體系)와 전문치의제(專門齒醫制)에 관(關)한 소고(小考)

The dental care delivery system and the dental specialty system have a very close relationship each other. Compared to Korea. Western European countries with predominant public sector in dental service have recognized merely 2 or 3 dental specialties, while North American countries with predominant private sector, 8 or 9 ones. It is desirable to adopt the dental specialty system as soon as possible in Korea to encourage scientific development in various dental specialties and qualitative advance in dental service. We, however, have to establish equitable dental care delivery system which can use limited dental resources efficiently as follows. 1. clarifying the different roles in assignments between general dentists and specialists by the amendment of the related laws such as the Medical Act and establishing the organic patient-referral system. 2. adopting the dental specialty system and expanding personnel and equipments so that the dental college hospitals, especially dental divisions of general hospitals, night function as secondary care facilities with specialties. 3. determining the size of dental specialists according to the national needs for dental specialized service's, whose number is to be not more than 10% of the total dentists. 4. transferring the function of accredating dental specialists to the efficient, self-controlled professional organization such as the Korean Dental Association rather than putting it under the governmental control. 5. conducting a comprehensive review of specialty education and practice for re-recognition, and maintaining competence of specialists by re-accredating them periodically. I expect this article to contribute to further discussion about the dental specialty system in Korea in productive and practical way. I am sure that we can Establish this system in the near future when people in every walks of life-the academic circle, the press, the authority concerned, consumer groups and the Korean Dental Association-take part in the discussion with special concern.