The practice of dentistry and dental jobs differs internationally on levels of education,
standardisation of practices and treatments, collaboration to share findings from research, and best practice for patient care.

Global Dental Challenges

Global dental challenges also include incompatibilities in accreditation and licensing requirements; historical and economic development of dental
education models; competency-based models in dental education and practice with international relevance; different metrics and practice regulations;
country-specific environmental and health considerations causing certain dental trends; adoption of technological advances in dentistry to develop
dental education and practice, and also international sharing of resources for optimal patient care.

Meeting Patients' Needs

Global health policy influenced by dental education seeks to improve oral health, particularly in developing countries for the wellbeing of citizens.
The variations between academic institutions, educators and dental practitioners means that the level of dental care needed by consumers is sometimes
not met resulting in poor access to oral health, inadequate public dental education or a weak standard of dental treatment. Dental educationalists and
dental practitioners world-wide are trying to identify the best methods for patient wellbeing that include discussing common challenges, sharing
experiences and intellectual resources.

Technological Contributions

OpenCourse Ware (OCW) on dentistry topics has helped to breach the divide in information sharing. Other global approaches to sharing knowledge on
procedures are teleradiology and telemedicine. Video-conferencing, digital imaging and intraoral cameras also enables dental professionals like those Birmingham dentists to show colleagues and students visually how procedures are performed,
including what is quite a specialised area in performing tooth extractions. Clinical information can also be shared
through web-based resources.

Addressing Global Dentistry Differences

Organisations such as International Federation of Dental Education Associations, World Dental Federation (FDI), the DentEd thematic network for Europe,
Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE), the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), and the International Association for Dental
Research (IADR) are creating awareness about international dental needs and searching for solutions to for local-based programmes in global
communities. By understanding cultural approaches to oral care, psycho-social and health profiles of communities, local infrastructures and resources,
environmental components, socio-economic needs and costs, regulations, standards and available resources; dentistry evolves on a world stage in ways
that it has never done before.