Accreditation of postdoctoral general dentistry programs.

There is increasing demand for PGD positions. New and innovative models for accrediting these programs will be necessary if the number of positions is to grow to meet the anticipated need. The current accreditation system is the result of a historical and political evolution and now does not reflect the increasing diversity among PGD programs. Ad hoc attempts to respond to changing workforce pressures led to difficulties for program directors in meeting accreditation requirements and confusion among applicants to these programs. At the same time, there is a growing trend to describe educational endeavors using a competency-based model, emphasizing the outcome rather than the structure or process of the educational experience.