If two's company, three may be a crowd

Article Abstract:

The ethical underpinnings of the dentist-patient relationship may be compromised by dental insurers. In the 1800s, dentistry and the American people forged a partnership that recognized dentists as the major providers of oral health services. Patients' needs superceded all other interests. This arrangement is based on patients' right to choose their dentists and a fee-for-service payment system. As the dental marketplace began to change in the 1950s and 1960s, the ethical principles of the dentist-patient relationship were tested. Insurers influenced treatment decisions and integrated themselves into the dentist-patient relationship. The rise of managed care plans brings fear of rationing and compromised quality. Inadequate dental insurance payments place dentists at odds with their patients. Insurers should be excluded from the dentist-patient relationship if they undermine this partnership.

Ethical aspects, Dentist and patient, Dentist-patient relations, Dental insurance

---

Dancing with regulators

Article Abstract:

Dentists must support the American Dental Association's (ADA's) efforts to temper government regulation with common sense. Practitioners are overwhelmed by the bureaucracy and excessive government regulations that direct every aspect of dentistry. Clinicians who use their professional discretion at the expense of complete regulatory compliance may face citations for violations. Legal action is often the only effective method to force the regulatory bodies to back down. President Clinton and Congress favor regulatory limits. In response to political pressures, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ended the practice of random dental office visits and instituted convenient communication channels to resolve complaints. Despite this encouraging progress, OSHA-proposed rules for ergonomics in the dental setting indicate continued rule-making and the need for ADA vigilance.

Laws, regulations and rules, Political activity, American Dental Association, Dentistry

---

Ready or not

Article Abstract:

Many dentists may not have the financial means to retire. Many plan on earning money from the sale of their practice. However, dental schools are cutting back on admissions, and the number of retiring dentists may exceed the number of dentists just starting out who may want to buy a practice. By the year 2010, 40% of all dentists will be 55 years old or older. Forty-six percent of dentists surveyed by the American Dental Association said they were not prepared for retirement.

Planning, Surveys, Retirement planning, Dentists

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Working in expanding roles. Growing up with a stoma. The missing links: attitudes to treating eating disorders are changing
• Abstracts: Down among the women. Leading priorities. Taking the lead
• Abstracts: Women at risk: does anybody care? Safety and health report. How far have we come?
• Abstracts: Less stress: Ten ways to manage it day by day. Reducing diabetes risk: diet, exercise are key. Flexibility: stretching to stay limber
• Abstracts: Thomas R. Cech. Parliamentary committee examines UK cancer research efforts. UN acknowledges HIV/AIDS as a threat to world peace

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.