Released on: April 7, 2008, 8:59 pm

Press Release Author: The Wealthy Dentist

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: The dental world has recently been rocked by reports of
dental crowns manufactured in China that may be contaminated with lead. In a Wealthy
dentist survey, two out of three dentists downplayed the importance of this emerging
scandal.

Press Release Body: In light of recent reports of lead crowns manufactured in
Chinese dental labs that may be contaminated with lead, dental practice management
resource The Wealthy Dentist conducted a survey of dentists on the topic of foreign
dental laboratories. Two out of three dentists think that the current publicity is
just a tempest in a teapot, while the remainder expect it to be the next big health
scandal.

The scope of the threat is not clear, as further research has yet to be released.
\"We don\'t know if this is a crisis,\" a Washington dentist pointed out. \"The labs and
FDA need to test a large number of prosthetics that are produced in USA with foreign
materials and in foreign countries.\"

When each dentist was asked whose responsibility it should be to protect the public
from tainted dental work, the most common opinion (voiced by 41% of respondents) was
that it is the ultimate responsibility of the dentist to protect his or her
patients. \"We dentists are responsible. Get a list of the elements in your metals
used,\" offered an Ohio dentist. \"This is an opportunity to let your patients know of
the great quality lab you use,\" suggested a Kentucky dentist.

Government is the answer for the 31% of dentist respondents who feel the FDA should
enforce regulations. \"The FDA should bear the responsibility, because the labs won\'t
and the dentists can\'t,\" declared a North Carolina dentist. \"If basic standards are
not upheld, what are the consequences?\" asked another. \"Whether it\'s a faulty tire,
a lead dental crown, or a teddy bear stuffed with pins and needles makes no
difference.\"

Twenty-five percent of dentists responded that dental labs should police themselves.
\"The last thing we need is more regulation. Let the labs police themselves,\" opined
a Pennsylvania dentist. \"I think that the labs should be held accountable for their
work, and the FDA should enforce those regulations,\" said a Michigan dental office
worker.

Very few respondents (only 3%) suggested that patients who are concerned should be
responsible for checking with their dentists. \"Patients are not responsible,\" said a
Washington dentist. \"The FDA, labs, and dentists should all be responsible.\" \"My
local lab is placing \'made in America\' on all of the return cases for the patients
to see,\" mentioned a California dentist.

Finally, we asked dentists if they know where their lab work comes from. Sixty
percent are certain that all restorations are manufactured within the USA, and
another 20% believe that to be the case. Only 10% acknowledge that they know they
use products made overseas. \"I don\'t use labs that outsource to foreign countries,\"
declared an Arizona dentist. \"Those who choose to do so owe it to their patients to
inform them of the practice.\"

The National Association of Dental Labs (NADL) estimates that 15-20% of Us dental
restorations are fabricated outside of the country. It is likely that significantly
more than 10% of US dentists are actually placing foreign-made dental prostheses
(perhaps as high as 25% of dentists). However, some of these dentists may not
realize their dental labs work is not produced in the USA. \"How can dentists be held
responsible for the lab work if they are not aware that lab is using foreign
services?\" asked a Pennsylvania dentist. (Indeed, a number of states are now
considering legislation that would require such disclosure.)

\"This just reinforces how important it is for a dentist to have a good relationship
with their dental lab,\" said Jim Du Molin, dental management consultant and founder
of dental website The Wealthy Dentist. \"I can only hope they all know what they\'re
getting!\"

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Visit http://www.thewealthydentist.com to learn more about The Wealthy Dentist\'s
surveys in the areas of dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry,
wisdom teeth, braces, and dentures. Jim Du Molin offers a free weekly newsletter and
dental practice management advice.

Web Site: http://www.thewealthydentist.com

Contact Details: Contact:
Jim Du Molin
415-435-3375