Dentaltown July 2015 - (Page 66)

special tribute in memoriam By Joe Steven Jr., DDS MAYBE WE SHOULD BAN AMALGAM... W We're slipping! Yes, our profession is slipping in the polls! Ten years ago, our profession enjoyed the honor of being ranked No. 2 in Gallup, Inc.'s poll for rating the public's respect and trust among various professions. We were right behind pharmacists. Unfortunately, Gallup's 2000 poll showed that we have slipped to eighth place, four places behind medical doctors. I don't know about you, but I enjoyed that well-deserved honor of being #No. 2. Now, I'm a little concerned about the direction our profession is headed. I have entitled this article, "Maybe We Should Ban Amalgam," because I believe this entire amalgam controversy is driving a huge wedge between members of our profession. It almost appears as if an unhealthy class division has developed. On one side you have the metal-free practitioners, and on the other side the traditional practitioners, who for various reasons, offer their patients amalgam as a restorative option. Dentists who offer amalgam are viciously attacked for supposedly not offering quality dentistry. Dentists who offer composite fillings are often accused of only being concerned about charging and getting higher fees. I believe this dissention is truly weakening our public's perception and trust. Coming apart Twenty years ago, a popular trend of providing quadrants of gold inlays and onlays emerged. During that time, I don't recall a distinction being drawn or an attempt to make dentists feel guilty or inferior about the restoration choices for their patients. Offering gold to patients was presented as an upscale alternative for those who wanted longer-lasting, quality restorations. With the amalgam controversies, we seem to have one side accusing the other of cracking teeth and placing fillings that will always get decay under them. Even in my own hometown, a local dentist runs television ads that display schematic illustrations of how amalgam fillings crack teeth. Is this good for our profession when the large majority of people have amalgam restorations in their mouths? Both groups love to cite particular research studies to prove their points. Let's put the clinical studies aside and look at the most valuable research we have before us-our existing patients. I have to admit, I get offended when I hear dentists make blanket statements that all amalgams crack teeth. My rough calculations 66 JULY 2015 // dentaltown.com A PROFESSION DIVIDED indicate that I personally have placed over 20,000 amalgams in my career. So, if the data about amalgams always cracking teeth is true, why do I place only around 50 crowns per month? I should be doing 200 or more if all amalgams crack teeth. Of course I have seen fractured cusps on teeth with amalgams. I've also seen fractured cusps on virgin teeth and those with composite restorations. I've actually had dentists tell me to my face, "Joe, keep placing amalgams and breaking teeth so that I can bond them with onlays later." Does this rhetoric serve our profession well? So what does this have to do with us slipping in the polls, anyway? As Dr. Paul Belvedere pointed out in a recent article, we are kidding ourselves if we think all this bickering is kept just among dentists. Some of our patients are attorneys who are well aware of this professional dispute, and this leads to damaging effects on our profession. Maybe we can't stop the legal trappings that are rampant in our country, but we're hurting our profession when we have such openly derisive verbal battles on certain issues within our profession. This leads to lawyers coercing dentists to testify against their colleagues, as we are presently witnessing around the country. Coming together Just to put things in perspective, I'd like to share with you an observation made by my brother-in-law, who is a vascular surgeon. Steve and his family travel with us often and I frequently share dental literature and research with him. One day during a long flight, I shared some information on the amalgam controversy. After reading it, he looked over at me, shaking his head, and said, "You guys are just talking about teeth...aren't you?" Some may consider this article as nothing more than adding fuel to the fire. My intent and desire, however, is that it will at least draw a moment of reflection on the adverse effects to the strength and persona of our profession. There are more serious issues in dentistry that deserve our attention. We should be working to establish acceptance and respect within our profession. With that kind of strength, we could work together towards strengthening our credibility and trust with the American public. I, for one, would certainly like to have that No. 2 position back...wouldn't you? ■ Editor's Note: This is a reprinted article, originally published in the July 2002 issue of Dentaltown Magazine. Please see the author bio on page 72 for more information on Dr. Joe Steven Jr. http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown July 2015

On Dentaltown.com
Howard Speaks: The Sweetest Taboo
Professional Courtesy: Power Through Participation
Continuing Education Update
Digital Impressions
Tips for Hiring New Team Members
Probing Systems That can Make a Difference in Your Practice
The Six Ways Staff Incentives are Revolutionizing the Dental Industry
A Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Case
4th of July Emergency
Orthodontic Treatment in the General Dentistry Office
Industry News
TRIBUTE: DR. JOE STEVEN JR. The Story of a Legend, and the Legacy He Left Behind
TRIBUTE: DR. JOE STEVEN JR. Maybe We Should Ban Amalgam … a Profession Divided
TRIBUTE: DR. JOE STEVEN JR. Where are the Olives in Your Practice?
Why Mobile-First Really Means User-First
Continuing Education: Past, Present and Future Trends in Today’s Implantology
Airway Health: Dentistry’s Role in the Hidden Key to Wellness
Product Profi le: Accutron
Staff Pay and Rewards
The Whys and Hows of Adult Sedation Dentistry
A Review of “Uncomplicate Business”
Townie Choice Awards Product Showcase
Poll
Going the Extra Mile in Marketing
Ad Index
e.max—Matching a Dark Central
Product Profi le: Synergy
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown July 2015