The American Dental Association’s Leadership is the Biggest Barrier to Affordable Dental Care

This is in response to statements made by, Dr. Raymond F. Gist, president of the American Dental Association in the following, U.S. News & World Report article, Some Dentists Reluctant to Treat Kids on Medicaid: Study,
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/managing-your-healthcare/insurance/articles/2011/05/23/some-dentists-reluctant-to-treat-kids-on-medicaid-study

The American Dental Association’s Leadership is the Biggest Barrier to Affordable Dental Care

“The president of the American Dental Association, Dr. Raymond F. Gist, said the study supports the ADA's longstanding position that better funding for public-assistance programs is critical.”
"Lack of funding is among the greatest barriers to better oral health in America," Gist said. "But funding alone will not 'fix' Medicaid. Patients need help navigating an often complicated bureaucracy and overcoming other barriers."

Dr. Gist fails to see the needs of the American people. Dr. Gist fails to express empathy for the many Americans who face social, demographic, health and economic barriers preventing them from the much needed dental care, many can’t afford or don’t have access to. Many Americans are not eligible for Medicaid and have no dental insurance. Dr. Gist is putting the blame on low Medicaid funding, but fails to acknowledge ethics lacking in ADA’s leadership for professional public health responsibilities. Where is ADA’s philanthropy spirit? Many dentists receive a reasonable Medicaid payment for their interest in public health service to the economic, disadvantaged people of America.

The American Dental Association uses money to fight dental hygienists from having independent practices, so hygienists could better serve the public health sector in preventive measures. The American Dental Association fights and prevents denturists from having independent practices and in most cases funnels money to state dental associations to prosecute denturists so they can’t provide affordable denture care to people facing barriers. The American Dental Associations wasted money fighting Alaska to prevent dental health aide therapists from providing dental services to the Natives of Alaska living in remote areas.

Due to ADA’s greed, time and money are wasted pushing other professions away from the table and preventing Denturists professionals from serving those we have been trained and educated to serve. If the American Dental Association would quit squeezing out competition it would free up more chairtime for children, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dental procedures. ADA’s self-serving political agenda is hurting consumers by suppressing qualified competitors that provide oral health care services. Midlevel oral healthcare providers include denturists, dental health aide therapists, and independent practice for dental hygienists.

I'm trained, educated and licensed as a denturist to provide denture care directly to the public. How does the American Dental Association continue to work against its vision and mission statement, under ADA’s nonprofit status to persecute and suppress competition?

Gary W. Vollan L.D.
State Coordinator, Wyoming State Denturist Association
www.wysda.org
June 2, 2011