Abstract:
This collaborative session will discuss the emergence, growth, and impact of the specialty of oral medicine internationally from the perspectives of the United States, South America, Europe, Middle East and Australia. Global leaders in oral medicine will share their insights on education and specialty training, care delivery models, and the future of the field.
Introduction:
Oral medicine is a fascinating and complex clinical specialty that broadly spans and integrates dentistry and medicine. Given its uniqueness, with one foot soundly in the world of “medicine” and the other foot soundly in the world of “dentistry”, various models of oral medicine training and clinical practice have emerged and evolved over time. Despite being a recognized and designated specialty in numerous countries throughout the world, the field, and the overall number of practitioners providing specialty care, remains limited in size, scope, and ultimately impact on the overall population. However, the field of oral medicine is experiencing a period of significant growth, recognition, and interest internationally, leading to greater collaboration and sharing of knowledge amongst specialists and stakeholders worldwide. This session explores the current state of the specialty of oral medicine across the oceans and hemispheres through conversations amongst international leaders in the field of oral medicine.
Learning Objectives:
Define the specialty of oral medicine as it is recognized broadly throughout the world. Recognize the historical development and evolution of the specialty of oral medicine in different global regions. Compare international variations in oral medicine training pathways, clinical scope, and healthcare integration. Describe opportunities for international collaboration in education, research, and clinical practice throughout the field of oral medicine. Characterize the important role of oral medicine professional societies and how they contribute to the growth and expansion of the specialty.