The Future Of Dentistry

Richard Bernstein,  

Senior Vice President
American Society of Master Dental Technologists - ASMDT

  
While it’s impossible to accurately predict the future of anything, it is possible to address possible solutions of need.

If dentistry followed the lead of organized medicine in the U. S. they would seek a solution similar to how medicine utilized the Physician Assistants  (P A’s) and Nurse Practitioner programs. P A’s have allowed medical doctors to expand their medical practices, treat more patients, spend more time on research,  spend more time on marketing, spend more time on paper work, and increase their patient revenues & services.

Some states have taken steps in recent years to expand alternative health care laws which includes expanding dental services. Some states allow Denturism by licensing Denturists. California has  Medical Denturity (see Mills Grae University web-site). These are licensed or certificated dental specialties allowing non dentists to provide dental services to the public independently in their own facilities without a licensed dentist on the premises.

New York currently has a legislative bill known as the Denturologist Bill scheduled for a vote this July. The bill would require additional education for dental technicians, dental hygienists and dental assistants. If passed, this bill will allow them to deliver removable dental appliances directly to the patients under the auspices of a duly licensed dentist. We believe this concept will mimic medical P A services, and allow dentists to the same growth benefits as physicians have had in recent years by utilizing P A’s.

Although we can’t predict the future, we can say, if there will be a need to address a future shortfall in dentistry, we Americans will find a solution. When America has a need - a solution becomes an opportunity, and American business entrepreneurs love and thrive on - opportunities.