On tragedy

Interesting that the ADA should refer to the recent death of a Maryland boy from a brain infection tied to an abscessed tooth as illustrating "why organized dentistry—all of us, working together—must stay focused on trying to improve that system." The ADA goes on to state: "We’ve taken several steps in response to the death, including a statement that’s on ADA.org and an op-ed we’ve provided to state dental societies. In the best of worlds, we can all hope to focus on this tragedy to leverage our profile as advocates for the under served."

A statement. Thank God. I have covered the ADA for years, and, while I agree it is a worthy organization, there are two areas in which it has continually frustrated me. First on the list is its inability to marshall support for access to care. Second is its refusal to market on behalf of dentistry. (More on that below.) Beyond, "we need more money from Medicaid," the answers seem to come sparingly from 211 E. Chicago Ave. I know this is a complex issue, and sponsoring legislation is important. And, on that front, thanks to the ADA for supporting legislation.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman's reintroduction of a bill calling for federal grants for state Medicaid and SCHIP programs to provide dental care to low-income children is smart, and it's supported by the ADA. The bill aims at encouraging dentists to work in low-income regions by offering dentists bonuses if at least 25 percent of their practice consists of SCHIP and Medicaid patients. But let's get past the more-money answer, can we please? I support dentists getting paid, but what we need here is real, grass-roots, old-fashioned caring and civic mindedness on the part of individual dentists.

Here's where the ADA can help:

1. Educate the public on oral health and the importance of regular dental care, including MARKETING dentistry from an oral-health/overall health standpoint and an esthetic standpoint. Thanks be to Discus Dental, 1-800-DENTIST, Invisalign and DEN-MAT for doing what the ADA should have been doing all along: getting people excited about dentistry.

2. Get dentists mobilized. There are myriad groups that facilitate dentists providing direct service. Work with them to connect dentists with programs such as The National Children's Oral Health Foundation, or, more importantly, their local affiliates. According to the ADA, Washington D.C. staff is meeting with lawmakers to find new answers. "Among new ideas discussed are a grant program to fund Mission of Mercy projects and tax credits for dentists who donate care. While these ideas are still in the rough-draft stage, we expect to work closely with Hill staff in the coming weeks on these and other proposals." Again, great; I hope it succeeds. But how about providing moral and civic leadership to get dentists serving even without tax credits. There are many dentists out there doing just that. Publicize them to their peers and network them. Devote part of ADA.org to create a volunteer clearinghouse, where dentists can connect directly with programs.

3. Stop patting your own back and honor the dentists, groups and dental manufacturers who are making a difference.

Tragedy is one of the most incorrectly- and overused words in the English language. A tragedy is when someone is led to his or death by his or her own flaw. This Maryland child's death is not a tragedy. It is negligence. The tragedy will be if the most powerful dental organization in the United States deteriorates through irrelevance to its constituents on both sides of the dental chair.