The British association for the study of community dentistry at forty: Our professional project

摘要

Forty years ago The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) held its inaugural meetings. So as we embark on a new year and the 40th anniversary of our association, it gives me great pleasure as the 39th President to write the first editorial of the year. The aim of this editorial is threefold; first, to provide a brief overview of our association; second, to explore what it means to be a specialist association and in doing so draw lessons from social theory on the dynamic nature of professional groups; and finally, to outline some possible opportunities and challenges for the next decade.