Mixed reviews for ADA's MLP analysis; ATP and early caries risk assessment

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Response to the ADA's analysis of the economic viability of the midlevel provider (MLP) model released last week was both swift and solicitous, reflecting once again the polarizing nature of this issue.

The reports, written for the ADA by ECG Management Consultants, examined the economic viability of dental health aide therapists, dental therapists, and advanced dental hygiene practitioners in five states that are considering MLPs as a potential access-to-care solution.

While many in the dental community applauded the association's efforts to take an evidence-based approach to the issue, others questioned the reports' methodology.

What's your take on the economic viability of MLPs? Click here to joint the lively debate in our Forums.

Meanwhile, in Restoratives Community news, a recent study in the Journal of the American Dental Association comparing risk assessment techniques for early childhood caries found a mutans streptococci culture to be the most effective. But is a newer method more effective? Read more.

Finally, over in the Cosmetics Community, a study examining the color stability of 10 resin-based restorative materials found that while clinically relevant color changes occurred immediately after polymerization, a month later the color changes were negligible.