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Much has been written about health planning. While only a total of 20 a:rticles on health planning appeared in journals during 1950–53, 188 articles were published from 1962–65. The striking increase in interest about health planning reflects a national movement toward the establishment of health planning agencies across the country. Because of the increased concern about health planning, pharmacists are obligated to become familiar with planning agencies.

The author discusses the need for clearly stated goals in community dentistry, the choice of goals, and the chances to achieve them. Goals in community health planning should be based on the values, needs and resources of the community in question. When analyzing goals a distinction should be made between dental health and dental care. Some goals for dental care, e.g. equity of access, may concern social justice but do not necessarily lead to better dental health. It is generally agreed that good dental health for a whole community cannot be achieved by restorative treatment alone; good dental health habits are considered to be a better way to promote dental health. Existing research indicates that there are chances to attain an acceptable level of dental health if the community effort is systematically planned and executed. There are indications that a reduction in the prevalence of dental disease can be brought about by new and effective means in the future. Long-term planning should be flexible enough to respond to new opportunities.

(1965). Role of the Teaching Hospital in Community Health Planning. Hospital Topics: Vol. 43, No. 6, pp. 53-58.

Death rates in the "Atomic City" of Richland, Wash., based on a five year study, are one-half those of the nation, after correcting for population age differences. This represents a great decrease in suffering and a tremendous economic saving to this city of 24,000 persons. Nine factors are considered likely to have contributed most to the attainment of these results. A uniquely planned and integrated medical program, which has been operating during the nine years of this city's life, is felt to be one of the factors that has contributed to this record, of which the citizens are justly proud. This article is written to describe the medical program, because other American communities may profit from Richland's experience. Five years is a relatively short period for a statistical comparison of this type; however, we feel that this early study will be valuable to compare this period with the next period