Table 1 The importance of the required competences of the graduating European dentist (11) as perceived by Flemish dentists

- demonstrate appropriate professional behavior grounded in a wide range of skills required for an adequate management of a dental practice including interaction with patients and colleague health workers, lifelong learning to guarantee optimal care and the creation of a safe work environment for both patients and practitioners. (I)

- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contemporary laws applicable to the practice of dentistry moral and ethical responsibilities involved in the provision of care to individual patients, populations and communities. (I)

- be competent to communicate effectively, interactively and reflectively with patients, their families, relatives, carers and with other health professionals involved in their care, irrespective of age, social and cultural background. (II)

- be competent to recognise the difference between normal and pathological oral conditions/disorders grounded in the application of knowledge and understanding of basic biological, medical, technical and clinical sciences. (III)

- demonstrate ability to maintain professional knowledge and understanding throughout a professional life. A dentist must demonstrate an appropriate information literacy to acquire and use information in a critical, scientific and effective manner. (III)

- be competent to implement sterilisation, disinfection and antisepsis, and cross-infection control in their practice. (III)

- be competent at obtaining and recording a complete history of the patient’s medical, oral and dental state. (IV)

- be competent at performing an appropriate clinical examination; interpreting the findings and organising further investigations when necessary to arrive at an appropriate diagnosis. (IV)

- be competent to identify abnormal and anxiety-related patient behaviour and respond appropriately. (IV)

- taking radiographs of relevance to dental practice, interpreting the images, including managing and avoiding the hazards of ionising radiation. (IV)

- be competent to develop a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan which meets the needs and demands of patients. (V)

- be competent to identify temporomandibular disorders and associated conditions. (V)

- be competent to identify orthodontic treatment need. (V)

- be aware of his/her limitations and know when to refer a patient for specialist dental or medical care. (VI)

- Treating and managing conditions requiring minor surgical procedures of the hard and soft tissues, and to apply and/or prescribe appropriate pharmaceutical agents to support treatment. (VI)

- know when and how to prescribe antibiotics or other medication. (VI)

- be competent to manage patients with dental urgencies. (VI)

- be competent to administer infiltration and block local anaesthesia in the oral cavity and to manage potential complications of local anaesthesia. (VI)

- be competent to carry out basic life support and defibrillation. (VI)

- be competent to inform patients about current concepts of prevention, risk assessment and treatment of oral disease which supports the maintenance of systemic and oral health and improves the quality of life for the individual. (VI)

- be competent at promoting and improving the oral health of individuals, families and groups in the community. (VII)