Will dentistry be left behind at the healthcare station?

The emerging opportunities for biological approaches to managing oral health were clearly apparent fifteen years ago. Responses in this direction have been tardy because of the economic prosperity of dental practice and the financial constraints on dental education. Representative existing and promising biology based technology is described. It is argued that education must be changed to teach the context and understanding of this technology. The alternative will be to concede important aspects of oral health care to physicians and others trained in their use.