It has long been held in the literature that in the process of consultation the recipient of consultation, or consultee, is a free agent in relation to the consultant. Yet, the concept of "pure consultation" as that relationship where the consultee is free to accept or reject the consultant's advice and knowledge appears to be a myth. This paper discusses authority, influence, and control as intervening factors in the consultation relationship.
The commitment to serve the "public interest"is often referred to by community organization and planning professionals. This idealized concept is examined and compared to the behavior of practitioners. The necessity for determining which publics, and whose interests, are to be served in order to find an appropriate approach are discussed. Whether the practitioners are to see themselves as technical expediters, change agents, or peacemakers, seems to be at issue. The past community organization commitment to a process as the ultimate guarantee of accomplishment is questioned and new directions are discussed.
Despite the serious resultant health, social, and economic consequences for the public and the nation, the United States does not appear to have a proactive comprehensive oral health policy at this time. Consideration should therefore be given to launching a national oral health campaign. While some effort needs to be devoted to maintaining existing gains, serious attention must be given to the creation of national as well as local constituencies. Without such support systems, it is very difficult to achieve major gains. Nationally, consideration should be given to working on a comprehensive oral health act. The principal strategy should be one of arguing the beneficial effects such an act could have on the current major national economic and political concerns.
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