What do dentists and the NRA have in common? Heavy political clout. The dental lobby's current policy goal is quashing “dental therapists,” who provide routine service more cheaply than full-fledged dentists. Proponents of dental therapy says it could help poor and rural Americans get affordable dental treatment earlier and thereby avoid the E.R. But the American Dental Association is biting back.
From the Washington Post:
Read Full Article »As in the nurse-doctor battle, there is a gender factor: More than 95 percent of dental hygienists are female. As a group, they support the idea of therapists and, with additional training, could join their ranks. Currently, hygienists work in small offices with licensed dentists, 70 percent of whom are male.
