Are cosmetic procedures overprescribed? And, ADA political spending on the rise

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

With the economy putting a damper on patients' ability to invest in cosmetic dentistry, are some practices becoming more aggressive in their marketing? That's the contention of a recent article in the Washington Post.

While making patients aware of procedures that may have aesthetic as well as clinical benefits, the dental team's focus should be on recommending and performing "responsible procedures" and maintaining their patients' health, according to bioethics experts. Read more.

In other news, records show that the ADA has become one of the leading political contributors and lobbying organizations in the U.S. -- even more so in the last two years. Is the society's increased activity on Capitol Hill paying off for the dental community? Many supporters think so. Read more.

And in Practice Management news, with healthcare systems increasingly emphasizing and rewarding preventive models, workforce innovations will play a key role in changing the face of U.S. oral healthcare delivery, according to a special issue of the Journal of Public Health Dentistry. Read more.