Continuing education: obligation or duty? The European dilemma.

Continuing dental education is now a professional and ethical obligation. The practising dentist has the responsibility to be a continuous learner by participating in educational programmes. This requirement for a career long education system provides awareness to the public that the dental profession is dedicated to the maintenance of high evidence-based education and permanent research into the best quality standards. Numerous European countries are involved in this process in an attempt to harmonise basic guidelines.