FDA authority over medical devices is a fact of life, certain to have an effect on the dental trade industry. Trends toward acquisitions and mergers of companies within the dental trade industry and the employment of additional personnel, in response to the regulations, have already become apparent. While some improvement in the quality of dental products can be anticipated, it is also expected that the regulations will result in fewer sources of dental products, higher costs for products fewer new products, and a reluctance to accept goods for return or repair. Whether the net impact of the Medical Device Amendments upon the industry will be positive or negative, remains to be seen.