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Mom and pop—where are you
ing of the law cannot be condoned. In view o f the preceding issue and others, dentistry has little choice but to become highly active in politics. Individual dentists and dental groups should develop some real political clout, for defensive purposes if for no other reason. A D P A C and the various state dental political groups should be supported both personally and financially. The organizations should be made strong and viable to the extent that political fac tions will be more attentive to the interests of the dental profession. Continuing education is an essential part of a professional man’s life. When one receives a dental degree and properly assumes a commit ment to his professional responsibilities, he is thereafter behooved to continually educate him self in current dental technology and philosophy to the point o f always being highly competent in rendering treatment to his patients. Y et there is reason to doubt that specific units o f continu ing education required through mandate for either renewal o f licensure or renewal o f asso ciation membership is in keeping with a classical definition o f professionalism. The United States’ recognized position of world leadership in dentistry carries with it a responsibility o f involvement and participation in dentistry at a world wide level. This does not mean financial support for dentistry in other countries, but rather, sincere interest in dentistry in other countries and a willingness to share information and activities with foreign dentists. M ost of these topics will be the subjects of individual editorials in later issues. Very brief general comments have been made here to give A D A members some idea of current thinking in the editor’s office. H. C. B.
at higher costs, with the impersonal delivery sys tem of a large merchant or chain store at a lower cost. We have witnessed the demise o f the small automobile dealer, as big dealers forge ahead. Prices are somewhat lower, but often accom panied by a cavalier attitude toward follow-up service. Huge drugstore chains have replaced the local com er pharmacist. Patients now trust a nameless, unseen pharmacist to fill their med ical prescriptions (a concept that would have been inconceivable some time ago). H ow long before impersonal dental and medical delivery at a slightly lower price will becom e a necessary fact o f life for the majority of patients because of shrinking dollars? H ow can we reverse this trend? Awareness of the problem is primary—w e must rouse from our long sleeping position and understand what is happening. More accentuation on our personal approach is necessary. We must express and follow through on our deep concern for the well being o f our patients. This will go a long way in keeping them away from tomorrow’s impersonal clinics and mass prepayment delivery systems. Making ourselves available during non-office hours is essential. All o f us need our rest and rec reation but patients are tired o f only getting sick during office hours. Twenty-four hours a day clinic coverage may sound appealing to the pa tient who cannot find you, and cause him to vote for it. H owever, it will be too late when he real izes how impersonal the care is. Phone answer ing devices with emergency numbers are a must. If off hour calls become too frequent, individual practitioners can band together in small groups — each covering the others one week per month to provide personal care and attention to emer gencies. Our dental society is working hard on a plan for 24-hour emergency dental care at hospi tals. The sooner this is a reality the better. More service for the dollar is essential, rather than less. More frequent medical histories of pa tients of record, routine blood pressuré moni toring, prevention education, fluoride applica tion, more effective communication, etc, most o f which can be handled by auxiliaries, can fur ther stem the hue and cry for big business or governmentally controlled dentistry. A form of health care most of us fear will lead in the long run not to lower costs but to higher costs, lower quality care, and less innovation. Doctor, the free enterprise dentist of today is an endangered species unless you act! We must continually demonstrate that the small, efficient ly run dental practice still offers more extensive quality care and services for the dollar. Bernard K . M cD erm ott
Opinion of Other Journals
M om an d pop— w h e re a re you H i Are private dental offices going to fade from the future scene the way mom-and-pop grocery stores have been ground under by giant super markets? With spiralling inflation, caused by runaway government spending, w e have fran tically watched our buying power shrink. Again and again, each of us has sadly had to replace per sonal involvement with an individual merchant
Reprinted with permission from the Dent Soc DC Newsletter 13:2 June 1974.
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at higher costs, with the impersonal delivery sys tem of a large merchant or chain store at a lower cost. We have witnessed the demise o f the small automobile dealer, as big dealers forge ahead. Prices are somewhat lower, but often accom panied by a cavalier attitude toward follow-up service. Huge drugstore chains have replaced the local com er pharmacist. Patients now trust a nameless, unseen pharmacist to fill their med ical prescriptions (a concept that would have been inconceivable some time ago). H ow long before impersonal dental and medical delivery at a slightly lower price will becom e a necessary fact o f life for the majority of patients because of shrinking dollars? H ow can we reverse this trend? Awareness of the problem is primary—w e must rouse from our long sleeping position and understand what is happening. More accentuation on our personal approach is necessary. We must express and follow through on our deep concern for the well being o f our patients. This will go a long way in keeping them away from tomorrow’s impersonal clinics and mass prepayment delivery systems. Making ourselves available during non-office hours is essential. All o f us need our rest and rec reation but patients are tired o f only getting sick during office hours. Twenty-four hours a day clinic coverage may sound appealing to the pa tient who cannot find you, and cause him to vote for it. H owever, it will be too late when he real izes how impersonal the care is. Phone answer ing devices with emergency numbers are a must. If off hour calls become too frequent, individual practitioners can band together in small groups — each covering the others one week per month to provide personal care and attention to emer gencies. Our dental society is working hard on a plan for 24-hour emergency dental care at hospi tals. The sooner this is a reality the better. More service for the dollar is essential, rather than less. More frequent medical histories of pa tients of record, routine blood pressuré moni toring, prevention education, fluoride applica tion, more effective communication, etc, most o f which can be handled by auxiliaries, can fur ther stem the hue and cry for big business or governmentally controlled dentistry. A form of health care most of us fear will lead in the long run not to lower costs but to higher costs, lower quality care, and less innovation. Doctor, the free enterprise dentist of today is an endangered species unless you act! We must continually demonstrate that the small, efficient ly run dental practice still offers more extensive quality care and services for the dollar. Bernard K . M cD erm ott
Opinion of Other Journals
M om an d pop— w h e re a re you H i Are private dental offices going to fade from the future scene the way mom-and-pop grocery stores have been ground under by giant super markets? With spiralling inflation, caused by runaway government spending, w e have fran tically watched our buying power shrink. Again and again, each of us has sadly had to replace per sonal involvement with an individual merchant
Reprinted with permission from the Dent Soc DC Newsletter 13:2 June 1974.
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