"Looked at overall, dental care represents a fascinating mix of the public and private spheres. It had a strong component that many people argue can be left to individual responsibility, private funding and market processes. But it also has a strong public dimension. How these areas are delineated, and how they are both catered for within the overall dental sector, poses some complex challenges. Analysing the nature of these challenges and pointing to ways in which they can be met is the purpose of this report." (Introduction, p.7).