Open Letter to Dr. Daniel Davidson: Is CDA Being Open minded or Absent Minded

Part I, Introduction:  

Dr. Daniel Davidson, current president of California Dental Association, in an email addressed to members on January 20, 2012 stated:  “As your association president, I am writing this letter to respond to discussions and communications about SB 694 (Padilla) taking place in the environment. This bill, sponsored by The Children’s Partnership, seeks to reinstate a dental director and authorize a rigorous scientific study addressing safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of allowing non-dentists to perform advanced dental procedures on children only in a public health clinic setting.”  He further states:  “In supporting SB 694, CDA has been accused of supporting the creation of a new dental workforce position, specifically one that would experiment on underserved children or create a two-tiered system of care. To be clear, the proposed legislation does not call for the creation of a new dental provider, but rather a careful scientific study of whether non-dentists can perform some expanded procedures safely and with high quality”, and “Until the results of the study are complete, any permanent changes in scope of practice or creation of a new type of dental provider will be opposed by CDA”.

Who Really Cares about Public's Dental Safety and Health?

Just out of curiosity, I wanted to see who this “children’s partnership” is who has asked Dr. Davidson, CDA’s president for rigorous study of the safety and efficacy of performing complex dental procedures by non-dentists and to my shock and surprise, I found insurance companies and commercial corporations in the list of partners and supporters of this organization!  I just don’t understand why Dr. Davidson would support a request made by a foundation mainly supported by insurance companies on behalf of an organization who claims to care and support public’s dental health and safety and dental professionals!  Especially when congress on January 12, 2012 voted against spending any funds on any research on efficacy of alternate providers (please see footnote for links to congress announcement)!  Dr. Davidson in a letter on January 20, 2012 addressed to some members has invited meaningful discussions and I really would like to discuss this with an open mind!

Mouth Rinses, Who Should Use Them and Why

Various types of mouth rinses are available over the counter in the market.  It can be very confusing when deciding which one is the right one for you.  This post gives an overview of the general types of mouth rinses and introduces the most abundantly available, yet most ignored type of mouth rinse!  Curious to see what it is?  Please read on.....

Health Insurance Coverage, Who Really Benefits?

Health is a primary need

Primary needs are considered natural or untaught needs determined by innate factors to an individual or their environment such as food,water and shelter.  Health is another primary need because without it, one may not be able to inquire or utilize any other element regardless of its necessity.

Benefits of Brushing Your Teeth with Baking Soda

Image by Earthworm via Flickr

We have all heard about the many uses for baking soda, the natural cleaner.  But have you tried brushing your teeth  with it?  Baking soda has been used as a tooth cleanser for over 150 years.  Somehow it got the reputation as being abrasive, therefore detrimental to the enamel.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Toothpastes are rated on a scale from 0 – 200according to their abrasiveness.  This is called the RDA value or “Relative Dentin Abrasiveness”.  Pure baking soda has an RDA of 7.  The closest RDA to this is 35, which is Arm & Hammer baking soda toothpaste.  TheRDA’s for every other tooth paste on the market just go up from here.  You can read more about toothpastes and their respective RDA values here.

There are many reasons for using baking soda for brushing teeth.  It is not only the least abrasive substance to use but it also whitens teeth, removes stain, and is also an effective germ killer against the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.