Three dentists recently shared with Becker's what they feel is the most dangerous trend facing dentistry — the high amount of student loans and lack of clinical training for dental school graduates.
Note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What do you see as the most dangerous trend in dentistry?
Bob Ditomassi, DDS. Dentist at George Ditomassi DDS (Springfield, Mass.): The most dangerous trend in dentistry is the excessively high amount of debt that dental students are graduating with. This debt forces them to provide dental work that they might not be qualified to perform.
Gregory Farber, DMD. Dentist at Day Hill Dental (Windsor, Conn.): Of the several dangerous trends in dentistry, the most dangerous is the lack of clinical training seen in today's dental school graduates. Furthermore, the removal of clinical competency exams required for licensure and board certification puts the public in danger of being treated by less than competent providers.
David Riddel, DDS. David Riddel DDS (Dallas): Too much debt is the most dangerous trend in dentistry. Many dentists still have high student loan debt. Many, if not most, DSOs are highly leveraged and may be forced to refinance at higher interest rates. Higher interest rates will decrease the profit margins at many companies, causing many to reconsider dental insurance as an employee benefit. The consumer's debt is also increasing, placing dentistry as more of a consumer elective instead of a necessity.