Great editorial ("Health Care or Beauty Treatment," September JADA). Dr. Jeffcoat pointed out the most important thing we do as dentists—diagnosis and treatment planning—and that we have a tendency to make it the least important part of the trip to the dentist.
We also don’t charge enough for this service, but that is another point.
Dr. Jeffcoat further points out that those who regulate us (each state’s legislature) can change who does what in the dental field if we, the profession of dentistry, don’t become active in letting our patients and our legislators know just what we really do for the public.
I have served on a Special Legislative Study Council Committee on Dental Access in Wisconsin, and the public and legislative members more than once stated that "they only see the dentist for a minute or two when they go to the dentist for their cleanings, and that it is the hygienist and staff who take care of them."
This is how, as Dr. Jeffcoat pointed out, others easily can get the legal grounds to be doing what dentists and the dental team should be taking care of.
In times of tight budgets on all levels, dentistry has to stand up tall and tell its story loud and clear. Take our light out from under the basket and let it shine through each one of us by informing our patients of what really happens during their visit to the dentist.
We also need to get involved with "Give Kids a Smile" day next February [Feb. 21, 2003]. We are the only ones who can tell our story, so please start spreading the news so that everyone knows who to go to when dental problems or dental needs need to be addressed.
