Dental Marketing and Practice Management

Dentists can be chained to their state by their dental license. In this survey, 86% said they want universal licensure for dentists, while only 14% think things should stay as they are.

“If we manage to graduate from an accredited school, what is the big deal besides regional politics?” asked one dentist.

(Check out this week's article on getting a dental license)

We got a huge number of responses to the question of national reciprocity. Dentists have a lot to say on the subject!

• “Not all state boards are equal. Some states are too easy.” (Mississippi dentist)
• “Dental school accreditation is national. If a dentist graduates from an accredited school, it makes sense that he should be eligible to practice nationally. On the other hand, this is a further erosion of states' rights, and that is also cause for concern.” (California dentist)”Greater freedom never fails to produce better results.” (California dentist)
• “Make credentialed dentists as free to move around in the States as anyone else. That's what America is all about!” (Retired dentist)
• "It's a huge expense and paperwork nightmare to try to get credentials in other states.” (Texas dentist)
• “It won't happen in my lifetime.” (General dentist)
• “Reciprocity by licensure is logical. Multiple board exams is not – certainly not with the mobility we have today.” (New York dentist)
• “I believe the United States should have one national board exam and thereby granting a license to practice anywhere in the US. It just makes sense.” (Nevada dentist)
• “This is my number one gripe against the ADA. I WILL NEVER BELONG TO THE ADA WITHOUT NATIONAL RECIPROCITY.” (Indiana dentist)
• “National licensing is way past due.” (New York dental anesthesiologist)
• “A dentist should have a least 5 years practice in good standing prior to being able move from their home state. Just makes sense.” (Kentucky dentist)
• “Teeth are teeth, so state restriction is just a violation of free trade. MONOPOLY!!!” (Pennsylvania dentist)
• “The physicians have had this for years. We as dentists are way behind on this one.” (California dentist)
• “Restriction of the ability to practice anywhere is just selfish and wrong.” (Pennsylvania dentist)

Read more: Dentists Ready for National Licensure

Post a comment

1. Robert J Houchin DDS Says:
   September 23rd, 2009 at 7:21 am

   Why does it “Make Sense” that you should practice for 5 years before you can move.
   I have been practicing since 1978 and there has been this battle between West Coast and East Coast my entire career.
   Each thinks their methods are superior.
   I do not see people’s teeth failing on either coast so obviously each method has equal value.
   It is nothing more than political protectionism. It restrains Free Trade and drives up prices.
   I am in agreement that the ADA has its head in the sand on this issue.

2. david szczesny dmd Says:
   September 23rd, 2009 at 7:30 am

   what percentage of respondents are a.d.a. members? how long have they been in private practice? how many malpractice lawsuits have been imposed on them? next survey please!!

3. RRoelofs DDS Says:
   September 23rd, 2009 at 7:47 am

   Please list states that currently allow reciprocity and any specific requirements.

4. Brian H Carr DDS Says:
   September 23rd, 2009 at 8:10 am

   The issue is not about protecting patient care or the level of dental education. It is purely a restraint of trade ploy by the state boards who, in the guise of protecting the patients, are actually protecting their “turf” and economic health of their practices by limiting the influx of new dentists and the competition that would bring. The egos involved in this issue will always use the “patient protection” argument for having clinical examination but it is too obviously a protectionism of the existing practices. Times have changed. It’s so expensive to set up an appropriate practice, that it is a self limiting factor for how many new practices an area can support. States that are trying to address access to care issues will readily accept a national license at some point. It is obvious that it is time for a national license, and the public needs the dental boards to accept reciprocity across all states for properly accredited dental professionals. ADA member and practicing since 1982.

5. Tweets that mention Editorial-1-Sparaga -- Topsy.com Says:
   September 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 am

   [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Quantum Labs, Dental Assistant and ASMDT. ASMDT said: Dentists Want a Dental License That’s National http://bit.ly/c7GQV #prosthology #dentist #medical #health #dentist_tech #news [...]

6. david szczesny dmd Says:
   September 25th, 2009 at 8:45 am

   what percentage of dentists are members of the a.d.a in good standing?how many are specialists ? give us a breakdown! should be interesting to know!

7. Blogs: The Week in Review (September 21-25, 2009) Says:
   September 28th, 2009 at 9:37 pm

   [...] Dentists Want a Dental License That’s National The Wealthy Dentist Blog reports in this post that 86% of survey respondents indicated that they [...]

8. Dentist National Requirements: OSHA, HIPAA, etc. | Says:
   May 11th, 2010 at 11:06 am

   [...] accepting license by credentials, so I would think that we’re heading to something of a more national dental license program, which would then equalize the national [...]