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CDA Wrestles with Education Issues
Are-examination of the current models of dental
education in Canada was one of the more radical
recommendations proposed in a recent CDA discussion
paper on the future of dental education.
The current crisis in dental education continues
to play a prominent role in CDA’s high-level discussions.
At the CDA Board of Directors meeting in
February, the results of the paper were presented
and discussions focused on how CDA can address
education issues such as the funding of the faculties
of dentistry, tuition costs and academic shortages.
To help answer the education question, CDA con-
CDA Board members involved with the Mega Issue Working Group vened a Mega Issue Working Group, chaired by CDA
(l. to r.): Dr. Peter Doig of Dauphin, Manitoba; Dr. Deborah Stymiest Board member Dr. John A. (Jack) Scott. The working
of Fredericton, New Brunswick; and Dr. John A. (Jack) Scott of group sought input from the deans of the 10 facul-
Edmonton, Alberta, chair of the working group.
ties of dentistry, as well as representatives from the
Canadian Dental Regulatory Authorities Federation
(CDRAF) and various CDA committees, including the Government Relations and Public Advocacy Committee, the
Committee on Dental Academia, the Council on Education, the Committee on Specialists Affairs and the
Committee on Student Affairs.
The current crisis in education materialized when government funding for post-secondary education
decreased. This forced dental schools to raise tuition and resulted in high student debt loads. Faced with significant
financial concerns upon graduation, fewer dentists now choose to return to the university setting to pursue
a teaching or academic career.
Such realities were exposed when CDA conducted a self-reported study at the University of Saskatchewan.
This informal survey revealed that on average, fourth-year dental students carried bank-administered credit line
debts of approximately $94,000 and government-administered loan debts of approximately $80,000. These
same students expected to carry, on average, a total debt from all sources of $154,000 upon graduation. These
levels of student debt will likely affect future professional decisions in terms of the location and type of practice
that new graduates will pursue.
CDA’s Committee on Dental Academia will be asked to move forward and consider the recommendations
from the discussion paper. One of the recommendations was to research, develop and present at least 2 new
“templates” or models for dental education which could consider private dental education or cooperative
arrangements among dental schools. C
Don’t Play Games With Your Health
CDA recently distributed a public awareness promotional tent card to member
dentists as part of its National Oral Health Month activities. CDA invited the
provincial dental associations to participate in developing this in-office resource,
which reinforces the importance of oral health in relation to overall health and
promotes the primacy of the dentist with an emphasis on seniors’ oral health.
Participating associations included their corporate logo on the cards.
The ‘crossword puzzle’ graphic is also available in poster format. To request
a poster or tent card, contact CDA at 1-800-267-6354 or by email at
posters@cda-adc.ca. C
JCDA • www.cda-adc.ca/jcda • May 2006, Vol. 72, No. 4 • 291