Are you one of those people WHO thinks that Dentists actually make the dentures they "sell" to the public? If you do believe that, guess what, your "wrong". Back in the late 1950's the (ADA) American Dental Association gave permission to Dental Schools to cease requiring dental students to "hands on" learn how to make dental appliances,"Dentures". They had Dental Labs as a captive work force who could only work for them, or no one.
The ADA had allowed State Dental Boards to open up their Dental Acts and add legislation changes that for the first time acknowledged the existence of Dental Technicians and Dental Laboratories. Both had been providing services to the dental profession for some 100 years but had never been recognized as legally existing. Prior to that recognition they were simply referred to as "Non-Dentists". Organized Dentistry had for all those years attempted to conceal their existence from the public fearing they would provide competition for dentist should the public learn the Lab Techs were who actually created the dentures the dentists "sold" to the public....and of course dentistry would fearful the public would find out the high margin of profit the dentists was making from denture sales.
Once the State's opened up the Dental Act's to insert new legislation that would identify who Dental Labs were and who Dental Technicians were and what services they provided, the legislation was written in a way to place the Lab and the Technician under the legal thumb of the State Dental Board. That placement included stiff fines and possible imprisonment should any Lab or Technician be caught providing denture services directly to the public...However, no fines, imprisonment or legal action of any kind was to be taken against any member of the public who sought the services of a Dental Lab or it's Technician.
The Dental Lab was required to have in it's place of business a "Dental Laboratory Work Authorization Form" attached to each dental appliance in it's Lab, signed by a licensed dentist, or face legal action. When the new dental regulations were being written into the old act there was much discussion as to what to call the new written order to allow a Lab Tech to create a dental appliance. Pharmacist were given a "Prescription", but organized dentistry saw that identification as providing a level of professionalism to a Dental Lab and it's Technicians that it didn't want the public to think they were entitled to. Again, organized dentistry was attempting to eliminate any chance of having to compete with the dental technician in the health care market place. Given that dental students were no longer required to learn how to make dentures and were graduated without knowing how, there was no way they could compete with the Technician who was educated and trained to hands on create all" the various dental appliances organized dentistry "sold" to it's customers. Through out the industry it was well known that on average for every dollar the dentist paid the Technician to create an appliance the patient was then charged 500 to 1000 percent over that Lab fee. Even today in the 2000 era those same fee ranges still apply. The Lab provides 90% of the labor and supplies required to create a dental appliance, the dentist has only 10% invested in office supplies and very little labor. Many dental offices now turn the required dental office procedures required to make a denture over to office staff who have "no" technical denture training.
So what is the answer to the fact that millions of Americans on limited incomes or living in poverty are not able to afford the much needed dental appliances required to help them maintain a healthy diet? The answer to that has been recognized for many many years by other countries.Our close neighbor Canada put the answer in place over 50 years ago. The answer is Trained, Educated, Regulated and Licensed "DENTURIST'S"...
"Denturist's" are individuals who's education and hands on training ranges for dental office procedures, examinations, health issues recognition, advanced dental laboratory training and fully competent Denturist to Patient provided denture services.....AND....at a reduced cost when compared to the fees dentist's charge for like services....with one very large exception, every Denturist is a denture "Specialist".
Because Organized Dentistry, has very deep financial pockets and can use political dollars to influence legislators, all but six states have legislation on the books that give Dentist a "legislated' Monopoly allowing them to be the only place a citizen in that state can legally purchase a Denture. That Monopoly also provides the dentist with the ability to stack the financial deck against the citizen and charge outrageous fees. Organized Dentistry has used it's deep pockets in an attempt to stop "Denturist" from being licensed in every state..however, through the Initiative Process, which political deep pockets can't control, Denturist legislation was placed on the general ballot and the public mandated through record setting votes that Denturist be recognized and licensed.
The Federal Trade Commission some years back did a study and determined that Denturist were safe, capable and competitive and should be allowed to practice. The "ADA" used political power to gag the FTC and place FTC employees jobs in danger if they attempted to pursue licensing of Denturist. That was over 20 years ago and the Gag appears to still be in place.
Denturist education and training is approximately five times that of any dental school training ever required of dental students and still is....Consider this, States that license Denturist requires each Denturist applicant that takes the State Licensing Exam to actually create dentures as part of the exam to get their license..On the other hand, a Dentist applicant who takes the board exam for a dental license is not required to make a denture to prove he or she can...and that's because the Board already knows the dental applicant doesn't have the training or ability to create a denture with their own hands.
Because dentistry has learned that cost is a major factor in trying to make denture services available to a broader area of the population and that competition makes that even more difficult for them....their answer has been to provide cheaper dentures at a faster rate...A good idea but you will note I said "cheaper" and "faster"....You get cheaper by using cheap materials and you get faster by using materials that most all well trained Denturist and Lab Techs will tell you, they would "not" use on themselves or family.
So how do you get involved in bringing Denturist denture specialist to your state and town that will bring exceptional talent, exceptional dentures, exceptional training and fair fees? Let me suggest that you contact the National Denturist Association at: ndausadenturist@hotmail.com. The NDA will give you advice and help you plan a Denturist movement in your state.
If you have questions about this information please contact me: thedenturepro@aol.com
F.Spiva Jr.CDT MDT CD
The Denture Pro.
The ADA had allowed State Dental Boards to open up their Dental Acts and add legislation changes that for the first time acknowledged the existence of Dental Technicians and Dental Laboratories. Both had been providing services to the dental profession for some 100 years but had never been recognized as legally existing. Prior to that recognition they were simply referred to as "Non-Dentists". Organized Dentistry had for all those years attempted to conceal their existence from the public fearing they would provide competition for dentist should the public learn the Lab Techs were who actually created the dentures the dentists "sold" to the public....and of course dentistry would fearful the public would find out the high margin of profit the dentists was making from denture sales.
Once the State's opened up the Dental Act's to insert new legislation that would identify who Dental Labs were and who Dental Technicians were and what services they provided, the legislation was written in a way to place the Lab and the Technician under the legal thumb of the State Dental Board. That placement included stiff fines and possible imprisonment should any Lab or Technician be caught providing denture services directly to the public...However, no fines, imprisonment or legal action of any kind was to be taken against any member of the public who sought the services of a Dental Lab or it's Technician.
The Dental Lab was required to have in it's place of business a "Dental Laboratory Work Authorization Form" attached to each dental appliance in it's Lab, signed by a licensed dentist, or face legal action. When the new dental regulations were being written into the old act there was much discussion as to what to call the new written order to allow a Lab Tech to create a dental appliance. Pharmacist were given a "Prescription", but organized dentistry saw that identification as providing a level of professionalism to a Dental Lab and it's Technicians that it didn't want the public to think they were entitled to. Again, organized dentistry was attempting to eliminate any chance of having to compete with the dental technician in the health care market place. Given that dental students were no longer required to learn how to make dentures and were graduated without knowing how, there was no way they could compete with the Technician who was educated and trained to hands on create all" the various dental appliances organized dentistry "sold" to it's customers. Through out the industry it was well known that on average for every dollar the dentist paid the Technician to create an appliance the patient was then charged 500 to 1000 percent over that Lab fee. Even today in the 2000 era those same fee ranges still apply. The Lab provides 90% of the labor and supplies required to create a dental appliance, the dentist has only 10% invested in office supplies and very little labor. Many dental offices now turn the required dental office procedures required to make a denture over to office staff who have "no" technical denture training.
So what is the answer to the fact that millions of Americans on limited incomes or living in poverty are not able to afford the much needed dental appliances required to help them maintain a healthy diet? The answer to that has been recognized for many many years by other countries.Our close neighbor Canada put the answer in place over 50 years ago. The answer is Trained, Educated, Regulated and Licensed "DENTURIST'S"...
"Denturist's" are individuals who's education and hands on training ranges for dental office procedures, examinations, health issues recognition, advanced dental laboratory training and fully competent Denturist to Patient provided denture services.....AND....at a reduced cost when compared to the fees dentist's charge for like services....with one very large exception, every Denturist is a denture "Specialist".
Because Organized Dentistry, has very deep financial pockets and can use political dollars to influence legislators, all but six states have legislation on the books that give Dentist a "legislated' Monopoly allowing them to be the only place a citizen in that state can legally purchase a Denture. That Monopoly also provides the dentist with the ability to stack the financial deck against the citizen and charge outrageous fees. Organized Dentistry has used it's deep pockets in an attempt to stop "Denturist" from being licensed in every state..however, through the Initiative Process, which political deep pockets can't control, Denturist legislation was placed on the general ballot and the public mandated through record setting votes that Denturist be recognized and licensed.
The Federal Trade Commission some years back did a study and determined that Denturist were safe, capable and competitive and should be allowed to practice. The "ADA" used political power to gag the FTC and place FTC employees jobs in danger if they attempted to pursue licensing of Denturist. That was over 20 years ago and the Gag appears to still be in place.
Denturist education and training is approximately five times that of any dental school training ever required of dental students and still is....Consider this, States that license Denturist requires each Denturist applicant that takes the State Licensing Exam to actually create dentures as part of the exam to get their license..On the other hand, a Dentist applicant who takes the board exam for a dental license is not required to make a denture to prove he or she can...and that's because the Board already knows the dental applicant doesn't have the training or ability to create a denture with their own hands.
Because dentistry has learned that cost is a major factor in trying to make denture services available to a broader area of the population and that competition makes that even more difficult for them....their answer has been to provide cheaper dentures at a faster rate...A good idea but you will note I said "cheaper" and "faster"....You get cheaper by using cheap materials and you get faster by using materials that most all well trained Denturist and Lab Techs will tell you, they would "not" use on themselves or family.
So how do you get involved in bringing Denturist denture specialist to your state and town that will bring exceptional talent, exceptional dentures, exceptional training and fair fees? Let me suggest that you contact the National Denturist Association at: ndausadenturist@hotmail.com. The NDA will give you advice and help you plan a Denturist movement in your state.
If you have questions about this information please contact me: thedenturepro@aol.com
F.Spiva Jr.CDT MDT CD
The Denture Pro.
That's the perfect and valid question about dentures, to ask and everyone should know the answer. Thank you for sharing it here.
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