Review of the current status and challenges for dental posterior restorative composites: clinical, chemistry, and physical behavior considerations. Summary of discussion from the Portland Composites Symposium (POCOS) June 17–19, 2004, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon

The Portland Composites Symposium (POCOS) was held on June 17–19, 2004 at Oregon Health and Science University. Eight speakers presented plenary lectures on current topics related to polymer matrix composites designed for dental posterior restorative applications. Papers from each of the presenters are included in this issue of Dental Materials. The symposium was designed to generate and facilitate discussion. The symposium ended with a two-hour session that began by breaking the broad topic of posterior composites into three segments: clinical, chemistry, and physical properties. A discussion leader was assigned to each segment—Dave Sarrett, clinical; David Watts and Jack Ferracane, physical properties; Jeff Stansbury, chemistry. Large sheets of poster paper were hung on the walls in the conference room. Symposium attendees were invited to write short one to two