The thirty nine papers accepted for pub1 ication in the First International Conference on 'Interfaces in Medicine & Meehani cs' at Swansea in Apri 1, 1988 represent the current state of the art in the science of implant surgery. This initial venture was planned and undertaken when the present editors and their colleagues realised the need for a closer interaction and dialogue between the clinician and. those basic scientists working in the area of implant surgery. Thi s interface, together with the real interface at the material/tissue borders, thus forms the basis of the present conference....