State Dental Commissions Protect Not Just Your Teeth; They Also Protect…Dentists

Writing in Slate.com, Matthew Yglesias (who’s usually way to the left of me) makes some interesting points about protectionism in the dental industry:

According to the Food and Drug Administration, for example, tooth-whitening products are perfectly safe to sell over the counter and be applied at home by anyone who cares to do it. But in Connecticut the Connecticut Dental Commission has ruled that only dentists may provide tooth-whitening services as a business. It’s safe to do for yourself at home, but not safe enough to pay a non-dentist to do for you.

This is also true of the services of dental hygienists. Unless you have something wrong during your biannual dental exam, you may never actually even see a dentist. More likely you will have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist:

But why don’t hygienists go into business for themselves doing routine tooth-cleaning? Well, because commissions across the country have made that illegal. In order to clean teeth you don’t have to be a dentist, you just need to work for a dentist and let one profit off your work.

Comments (12)

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  1. Linda Gorman says:

    In Colorado, hygenists can set up independent practices. The sun still rises and sets on time.

  2. Devon Herrick says:

    Awhile back I was at a conference for state legislators. Sponsoring a booth in the exhibit hall was a professional/trade association for (non-specialized) community dentists. I inquire about the trade association’s policy initiatives. It had but two: 1) protect its members from initiatives by trade associations for specialty dentists that would seek to limit the scope of practice of community dentists and prevent them from performing specialty procedures. And 2) oppose initiatives by so-called middle-level dental practitioners that would allow dental hygienists or dental technicians to perform some tasks independently. Such proposals would allow a limited scope of practice where mid-level dental practitioners could perform selected tasks independently (rather than only being able to work for licensed dentists).

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  4. Pinole dentist says:

    This is also true of the services of dental hygienists. Unless you have something wrong during your biannual dental exam, you may never actually even see a dentist. More likely you will have your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist:

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  6. Milan Rollis says:

    Well I’m sure any dentist, including the dentist in plano, would be pleased to hear this news. They’ll surely be able to perform their jobs better since they feel protected.

  7. Ryan Hentry says:

    I bet any dentist, including the dentist in la will appreciate this new system. At the same time, I hope it encourages them to work even harder in treating their patients’ dental problems.

  8. John Graham says:

    I’m sure that any dentist would be pleased to hear about this news. My north hollywood cosmetic dentist was extremely happy because now, he can work peacefully knowing that he’s protected while practicing his profession. As a patient, I’m also happy about this news.

  9. Ralph Galvers says:

    As a dentist in champaign il, I’m completely delighted to hear these news. I could work much better knowing that I’m protected. Now, I’m hoping to help more patients who are suffering from dental problems.

  10. AbbyJensen says:

    My Fairfield dentist who has a dental clinic also runs a tooth whitening business, guess that’s an enough proof that she’s a legitimate practitioner of the said service.

  11. Mary Anne says:

    It’s good to hear that Dental Commissions are up to the over all protection of a fairfield dental practice and dentists. With this, we are rest assured that everything been taken cared of.

  12. Abby Jones says:

    Tucson dentists are really happy about this news cause this means that they will also receive insurance and protection apart from the health and protection they’ve availed personally.