The Positive Influence of Research Activity on Dental Education, Present and Future

¹ School of Dentistry, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana

1. The influence of dental research on dental education has increased in intensity every year for the past generation.

2. Research is leading to a better understanding of oral health and disease, more competent faculty, better teaching, and better graduates.

3. Research experience by students, undergraduate and graduate, can help fill many of the objectives of dental education.

4. Research experience by faculty members can help improve teaching competence and the status of teachers.

5. Research helps fulfill the objectives of the dental school: adding to the sum total of knowledge, and educating dentists competent to practice dentistry, to teach, or to develop their own research programs.

6. If the spirit of research permeates the faculty, it filters out to affect the dental students and the level of instruction. Learning is certain to improve, and eventually all of society will be benefited.