PERCEIVED NEEDS FOR DENTAL CONTINUING-EDUCATION WITHIN THE ARMY DENTAL-CARE SYSTEM

Results of a worldwide survey examining the perceived needs for contin uing education (CE) among Army general dentists and their supervisors are presented. Responses from 255 supervisors and 528 dentists were av ailable for analysis. There was overall lack of agreement between supe rvisors and dentists concerning CE preferences; supervisors selected r isk or clinic management topics and dentists chose patient care topics . Years of practice, practice location, and advanced general dentistry program participation strongly influenced dentists' perceived needs. Results suggest that in evaluating or planning for CE programs, differ ences in perceived needs between various groups within the dental care system must be considered.