For many years, local dental practitioners have hosted Christmas parties at the 19th Century Country Inn in Malaby, in the beautiful community of Hancock. However, in 2014, Republican Congressman Malaby of the Maine Legislature voted to establish a new dental service provider to provide standard services to the poor as well as the rural districts. The Dental Association in Maine strongly opposed the bill and was angry about this legislature.
Dentists tend to have the charm of Norman Rockwell among the general public. They clean teeth, advise children to reduce candy consumption and provides approval for the type of mint toothpaste and mouthwash your family should use. And while the dentists’ charm is inevitable, we sure know that their services can be expensive. Even the best Toronto dentist could be quite expensive however routine services can be affordable.
But the Congress from Maine to Alaska saw other aspects of the American Dental Association, their lobby, and dentists. The American Dental Association is so unified and so carefully tied to the American community that political power can compete with the total lobby.
Malaby stated, “Dentists do almost everything they can to safeguard their pursuits — plus they have money.”
Dental clinics are going through strict evaluation as the price of dental treatment goes way beyond what regular Americans can afford. Experts say the ADA strives to compete to better access to dental treatment and provide regular check-ups and fillings at lower prices in deprived areas.
The Federal Trade Commission vs. Practicing Dentists
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has battled dental practitioners on anti-competitive behavior. The FTC excellently resolved a grievance over a dental board requirement in South Carolina that dental practitioners should examine children in school clinics first prior to the hygienists cleaning their teeth. This adds considerable cost to an already expensive dental service. On another account, the FTC triumphed in a Supreme Court against the dental board of North Carolina. They have attempted to prevent teeth-whitening firms from working in shopping centers and malls.
Currently, the FTC openly left a comment on a growing campaign to enhance access to dental treatment by building a class of mid-level professionals, or referred to as dental therapists to give routine services. Ohio lawmakers and FTC officials stated dental therapists can benefit consumers by means of increasing choice, levels of competition, and accessibility to treatment, specifically for the underserved.
Many people believe that American dental models need development and levels of competition. Respectable Foundations such as the Pew Charitable Trusts support dental therapists as an approach to improve accessibility and economy.