A study examined the economic relationship between growth in dentistry and supply/demand factors. Output, or real per capita dental expenditures, is seen as a function of consumer income, dental insurance, and dentist supply. Analysis indicates a significant relationship between dental sector growth and economic market factors, including growth in…

The "practice" aspect of the dental profession is reviewed. It is suggested that there is no way to separate education, practice, research, financing, government, science, business, management, motivation, and the public from one another. Retail dentistry, health maintenance organizations, franchising, advertising, and denturism are…

The New York University College of Dentistry provides oral health care services for a low annual fee. The program meets its objective of providing additional operative procedures to fulfill dental students' educational requirements and accommodates students' oral health care needs at reasonable cost. Some members patronize the clinic after…

Boston University (Massachusetts) developed and marketed a dental care plan to three colleges and universities in the Boston area. After 5 academic years of operation, the dental program has 16 institutional affiliates, increased its patient pool by almost 1,500, generated substantial revenue, and exposed dental students to an alternative dental…

The American Dental Association has a role to play in the increasing computerization of dental practices, including involvement in electronic media claims for insurance processing, information dissemination, and development of guidelines for electronic patient records. (DB)

An overview of the current oral health status of Americans looks at the epidemiology of oral/dental diseases, rates of use of dental services, and expenditures for dental health care. Substantial progress in improving oral health is seen as are particular challenges resulting from the aging and ethnic diversification of the population. (MSE)

A survey of part-time clinical faculty members' opinions of the importance of employment benefits for recruiting and maintaining part-time faculty is discussed. The employment benefits included: 25% higher salary and clinical procedure manuals, tuition waiver for family, retirement plan, deferred compensation, faculty orientation manual, and…

A study investigated the use and effectiveness of dental crowns and alternative treatments for posterior teeth, using data from insurance claims. Results show older patients more likely to receive crowns, with higher costs. Regional treatment differences were also found. Data raised questions about consistency of treatment recommendations among…

Argues that dental schools are the logical location for development of valid, reliable, and acceptable health services research methods and databases, and describes development of an insurance claims database to demonstrate the types of research possible, as well as weaknesses and shortcomings of pure administrative data. Considers implications…