The Dental Team in the European Union

Chapter 2 (THE FIRST STAGE OF PROFESSIONALIZATION: EDUCATION) focuses on education and training of dental care professionals. It discusses this topic from the perspective of all members of the dental team, which includes dentists, dental hygienists, dually qualified dental hygienists-therapists, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, and dental assistants/nurses. It also discusses dentists' education in light of European Union policies. In addition, it considers student attitudes and behavior, the learning environment, faculty, curricula, interprofessional training, as well as other programs and teaching methods.
Chapter 3 (DENTAL CARE PROFESSIONALS--REGULATION) deals with professional regulation of dental team members. It sets forth the different types of arrangements used for this purpose. More specifically, it focuses on diverse types of regulatory processes and structures utilized. It discusses governmental units, chamber structures, and the council model. Professional regulation is also related to continuing professional development, codes of ethics, usually one of the last stages of professionalization, and patient empowerment.
Chapter 4 (MEMBER STATES: HEALTHCARE PROVISION) is devoted to the operation of healthcare delivery systems in the Member States. The financing of systems and the provision of services are presented along with the role of secondary health insurance. The purposes for which the latter is used and by whom are described. Systems are financed and operate differently. Oral health care falls short to the chagrin of the Council of European Chief Dental Officers.
Chapter 5 (THE DENTAL SQUAD) discusses the role of the members of the dental team and especially, the transformation of females in dentistry. Teamwork, skill mix, and the importance of human resources planning are underscored. Direct access to some dental care professionals is noted. Also, the chapter points out how unmet oral healthcare needs present problems in several Member States.
Chapter 6 (THE WORKPLACE), for the most part, demonstrates the European Union's control over many facets of the world of work via its policies in many areas, which include advertising, work time, equality, non-discrimination, stipends, waste management, and medicinal products, plus many other sectors. The European Union's efforts in the workplace sector demonstrate interest in the determination of worker safety as well as patient safety and the harmonization of diverse practices.
Chapter 7 (SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION IN THE PROFESSIONS). All professional communities usually confront challenges and issues on diverse subjects. In these situations, the professionals, those who are providing services, and policy makers have to determine a solution. In this case, the responsibility falls on the shoulders of the dental team, patients, and decision makers in the European Union and the Member States. Hopefully, the solution will be consensual, but such does not always occur.
Issues that have raised discussion within the dental squad's professions include their role in suspecting or acknowledging patients subject to domestic violence, maltreatment, child abuse, and neglect. Moreover, they have had to consider their role in dealing with patients' lifestyle, physical activity, and use of tobacco and alcohol, all of which impact oral health. Other challenges relate to teeth whitening and use of dental