A STUDY FOR THE DIRECTION OF THE DENTAL SPECIALIST SYSTEM IN KOREA

치과전문의제도의 나아갈 방향 모색

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental specialty system from the viewpoint of korean constitution. An attempt to introduce a dental specialty system has been repeated many times, but it was interrupted by the dispute of the interested parties, especially general practice dentists, trained dentists and the authorites concerned. The korean constitutional court decided on July 16th 1998 that the lack of the examination to be a dental specialist was against the korean constitutional law and the authority concerned should prepare the legal procedure for the dental specialist examination in proper time. Though the dental specialty system may be discussed in a variety of view, it should be established on the ground of the korean constitutionalism. According to the korean constitution, all the people can develop their abilities at the maximum and have their dignity, preciousness and right to seek their happiness. With the view of spirits of the constitution, dental specialty system should be more open widely to those who want to be a specialist. It should be also allowed to the dental specialists that they reveal their specialty and creativity. However, the representatives of the korean dental association(KDA) decided at the 50th annual meeting that the dental specialists should not reveal or annonce their specialties at the first step of the dental care and all the present dentists give up to be specialists. As conclusion of this study the proposals of the KDA seems to be against the korean constitution and hardly fulfills the needs of the times.