Advances in Dental Research, Vol 9, 96-99, Copyright © 1995 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Strategies for application of scientific findings in prevention
S. H. Wei
Department of Children's Dentistry & Orthodontics, The University of Hong Kong, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong.
Dental research in the last 50 years has accomplished numerous significant
advances in preventive dentistry, particularly in the area of research in
fluorides, periodontal diseases, restorative dentistry, and dental
materials, as well as craniofacial development and molecular biology. The
transfer of scientific knowledge to clinical practitioners requires
additional effort. It is the responsibility of the scientific communities
to transfer the fruits of their findings to society through publications,
conferences, media, and the press. Specific programs that the International
Association for Dental Research (IADR) has developed to transmit science to
the profession and the public have included science transfer seminars, the
Visiting Lecture Program, and hands-on workshops. The IADR Strategic Plan
also has a major outreach goal. In addition, the Federation Dentaire
Internationale (FDI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have initiated
plans to celebrate World Health Day and the Year of Oral Health in 1994.
These are important strategies for the application of scientific findings
in prevention.
