Rubber dam placement

the use of the device. Beyond this problem, surfacing after several years of apparent suc­ cess with hosts of happy users, is the grim warning that someone is watch­ ing us down here, and hopefully we can set our own ducks in a row. In defense of the industry of dental manufacturers, it should be pointed out that by and large these companies are made up of well trained and con­ scientious men, whose interests are in behalf of the betterment of the pro­ fession, as well as in making a profit. It is a fact that occasionally a com­ pany will withdraw a claim for a prod­ uct after further research proves it to be a specious claim. There is nothing really wrong with being wrong and admitting it. The manufacturers are, for the most part, filling a real need for advance­ BERNARD S. SHULTZ, DDS ment in clinical techniques by encour­ WARREN, OHIO aging new skills and developing new products for the dentist. And most are prepared to thoroughly research R e p u lsiv e term and document their results before in­ troduction to the profession, probably ■ For some time I have found ex­ to a greater degree than is generally tremely repulsive your use of the term known. dental mechanics to describe those The councils of the ADA are high­ technicians who refer to themselves ly capable but overburdened and as denturists. hold a firm line on ADA affiliated I agree with you that denturists meetings and publications. But this should not be allowed to practice den­ is where their authority ends. The tistry as it is defined by all the state dentist is licensed by law to perform dental laws. I also feel this personal insult to any dental service to which he has been introduced, via sales personnel, these men does nothing to enhance advertising media, or word of mouth. our reputation or our position. If any­ This is why it is so important for us to thing, name-calling only shows up our expect high integrity from manufac­ ignorance to those legislators who will turers, and we are not often disap­ be deciding our fate. It also gives pointed. these technicians a greater incentive WILMER B. EAMES, DDS to win this battle.

hold true for the Sargenti paste as well as for any other filling substances. Fortunately, endodontic postgrad­ uate courses are available which would help any general practitioner to improve his technique and reduce the time and number of appointments nec­ essary to do endodontic treatment. I would suggest to Dr. Smorol, or any­ one else interested, that this is the way to improve the quality of endodontic therapy. In conclusion, my point is that no matter what the filling technique, bet­ ter and more successful endodontics still depends largely on factors which cannot be reduced to a one-sitting procedure. Until the Sargenti paste is verified and approved by the FDA, I have no intention of using it for my wife or anyone else’s wife.

ROBERT W. JONES, DDS ST. PAUL, MINN

In te g rity o f m a n u fa ctu rers

m The recent Food and Drug Admin­ istration action restraining a dental manufacturer from selling a device, and warning dentists of the inadvisa­ bility of using this device until re­ paired, is pretty serious business. It is particularly serious when the man­ ufacturer withheld the fact that com­ plaints had been received regarding

EMORY UNIVERSITY ATLANTA

A p p la u d s fa irn e ss o f JA D A and A D A N ew s

m THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION is the Voice of organized dentistry, and it is a voice of which we can all be proud.

There are a number of sources avail­ able for good scientific information and the jada is one of the best. But more than that—it is the only-forum

where dentist speaks to dentist about those issues concerning and confront­ ing us. The jada and th e A D A N e w s give an excellent bipartisan platform for dental opinions. You and your staff deserve a great deal of credit for this. Every issue has at least two sides— and free expression of both is neces­ sary for any organization to remain viable and vibrant. Everyone has the opportunity to be heard. We all learn to walk a little way in our brother’s shoes by reading his thoughts and understanding him better. The jada , through its editorials, letters, and news, keeps the pertinent and per­ plexing problems of the profession in a proper perspective. If we are to maintain private prac­ tice of dentistry as we now know it, the American Dental Association is the vehicle that will do it. I certainly do not agree with everything you say, but I constantly applaud your fairness of presentation. Also, I encourage the silent majority of our members who are busy providing the finest dentistry known on the face of the earth to take the time to become more involved— if only by sharing with the rest of us their thoughts and opinions. In this bicentennial year, nothing is more important than the freedom of expression and the urgency to individ­ ual responsibility that you encourage. This will help us to grow from strength unto strength. Write on, and—right on! B. V. DANNHEISSER, JR., DDS PENSACOLA, FLA

R u b b e r d a m p la c e m e n t

■ As a dental consultant, I was par­ ticularly interested in the letter from Samuel C. Ursu (July jada , page 31) regarding the question from the insur­ ance company about “ what a rubber dam is and how it is used.” I can’t help but wonder how much he charged for placing the rubber dam that would prompt the company to ask the ques­ tion in the first place. Also, I don’t recall an ADA code for placement of the rubber dam. FLOYD E. FARLOW, DDS ATLANTA

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR / JADA, Vol. 91, O ctober 1975 ■ 737