Doctors

Send this letter to the American Dental Association leadership, and to your local representatives. It is presented, with the approval of Dr. Michael Maroon, and originally appeared in the January issue of "The Profitable Dentist. "

As a dues paying member of the American Dental Association, place the following demands on the elected leaders of MY organization:

That you reconize that I must always do what is right for my patients despite the restrictive demands of third party payers. I commend the ADA for promoting Direct Reimbursement and urge them to create a task force of the best minds in our profession to evaluate new and improved methods of delivery and reimbursement of dental care.

Therefore, I demand that the ADA continue its promotion of Direct Reimbursement and constantly evaluate new and improved methods of delivery and reimbursement of dental care.

That I have the a right to stand together with other individual dentists or group practices against the outside forces that are trying to invade my profession, and I should be able to fight back without the threat of government intervention. Therefore , I demand that the ADA utilize its resources to mount an effective challenge to the currant anti-trust laws of the United States government to allow me to accomplish this goal. This program should begin no later than November 1, 1997.

That I must educate myself and my staff on the emerging technological breakthroughs in our profession on a continual basis, which will allow me to provide the optimum treatment for my patients and allow me to remain focused throughout my career. Therefore, I demand that the ADA develop and maintain guidelines for mandatory continuing education as a requirement of membership. This should be a minimum of 75 hours per year, and should be distributed fairly to update me on the many different specialty and non-specialty areas of dental practice. These guidelines should be developed and placed into effect no later than November 1, 1997.

That I must educate my patients on the emerging technological breakthroughs in our profession through the use of multi- media advertising including, but not limited to, television, radio, newspaper, and the emerging information on the superhighway. Therefore, I demand that the ADA institute a national marketing campaign, in an expeditious and efficient manner, to promote the positive preventive and elective dental procedures available to my patients, and I will be willing to fund this campaign through an increase in annual dues, up to $1,000 / year, of which the total amount will go to this campaign exclusively, The ADA should begin implementation of this campaign no later than November 1, 1997.

That our organization must encourage the brightest and most enthusiastic minds of succeeding generations to choose dentistry as their career, and we must make it easier and more appealing for them to do so, and we must help newly graduated colleagues to select the correct path before they graduate by having a network of mentors available to share their knowledge and wisdom. Therefore, I demand that the ADA implement a nationwide marketing campaign to encourage the brightest and most enthusiastic minds of younger generations to choose dentistry as their career, this includes dental hygiene and dental assisting as well. I also demand that the ADA develop a list of potential mentors who will be willing to share their success and knowledge with dental students to encourage them to select a lifetime of service through high-quality, fee-for-service dentistry. The ADA should begin implementation of these campaigns no later than November 1, 1997.

That to combat the ever-rising cost of delivery of dental care, I must make use of highly skilled and well-trained auxiliaries to provide services for patients within the legal limits of the laws of my state. Therefore, I demand that the ADA develop national guidelines to guide the expanded duties of my auxiliaries, which will allow them to provide additional services under my guidance and supervision, and if the laws in my state are too restrictive, that the ADA must work expeditiously and assertively to change these laws. The ADA should develop these national guidelines for auxiliaries with the help of the ADHA and the ADAA, along with the guidance of the leaders of our profession. These guidelines should be determined no later than November 1, 1997.

That I have a right to choose whom I provide treatment for, and I should not be forced, against my will, to treat any individual that I do not want to treat, and furthermore, I should not be threatened with lawsuits and attacks against me and my family. Therefore, I demand that the ADA support MY freedom to choose to provide or not to provide dentistry for patients based on my personal decisions, and that they also support the right to freedom of choice of my fellow member dentists, and I also demand that the ADA fight for my rights through our country's legal system. This should be developed and underway no later than November 1, 1997.

That our organization should be leading the way in eliminating mercury-containing amalgam use in this country. We are the only health profession utilizing a 100-year-old material and technique that is so controversial, that had been introduced today, it would not gain FDA approval. Therefore, I demand that the ADA develop the guidelines to discontinue the use of mercury-containing dental amalgam, and establish nationwide continuing members and help dental schools to establish guidelines that will provide dental treatment utilizing alternative materials. These guidelines and continuing education courses should be implemented by November 1, 1997.

That if I choose to provide an alternative dental treatment, other than those "accepted" by a third-party carrier, and if that treatment is widely accepted around the country by my colleagues as a satisfactory alternative dental treatment, I expect my organization to support me. Therefore, I demand that the ADA take an active role in protecting me, one of its member dentists, and that you use every legal action available within the limits of the law to protect me from damages to my character, my career, and my self-worth, and that you do not cautiously sit on the sidelines issuing "no comment" statements. Guidelines for dealing with these situations should be developed no later than November 1, 1997.

I make these demands and ask the help of the leaders of my profession because I am being pressured by forces beyond my control to make changes that are not in the best interests of my patients, my staff, or myself. I believe in the power of my organization and that is why I ask for its help. As a member of the ADA, I want my organization to be PROACTIVE rather than REACTIVE. I appreciate your dedication, hard work, and commitment and look forward to working together to save our wonderful profession.