Why a radical overhaul of dentistry is needed

Many who can afford have cosmetic treatment to supposedly "improve the appearance." [...]with a combination of private and public universities turning out dentists at an extraordinary rate, the situation in Colombia is one where there are growing numbers of dentists who are unemployed. The greed for material and personal gain has overtaken any sense of societal obligations and larger public interest. [...]we see today less of public health interest as compared to interest in refined, technical and often invasive dental procedures." Since the management and control of most common diseases could be undertaken by primary health-care workers, a relatively small number of such oral health physicians would need to be trained. [...]a relatively small number of public health dentists would be needed to coordinate oral health needs assessments, implement and evaluate community-based oral health improvement strategies, and to act as oral health advocates to ensure closer integration of oral health into wider policies.