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The commercialisation of dentistry

BDJ In Practice volume 36, pages 22–23 (2023)Cite this article

Earlier this year at the International Dental Show (IDS) in Cologne, I got chatting to a colleague from the Danish Dental Association (DDA) who could not understand why the oral health of a patient was linked to the financial gain of the practising dentist in the UK.

Perplexed on a multitude of levels, I proceeded to try and unpick this train of thought. What was it that was so unusual? Why the UK? Why was it any different than a visit to the opticians, for example. As it turned out, it was our UDA system, which, in the hands of unscrupulous professionals, could be open to manipulation, and for private dentistry, it looked more like a service provision than healthcare; it had become a commercial entity rather than what its true purpose was.

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References

  1. OralHealth. Is Dentistry a Business or a Profession? Available online at: www.oralhealthgroup.com/features/is-dentistry-a-business-or-a-profession/ (accessed November 2023).

  2. Lewis K. Competence, capability and confidence. BDJ In Pract 2023; 36: 26-27.

  3. Holden A C L. Consumer-driven and commercialised practice in dentistry: an ethical and professional problem?. Med Health Care and Philos 2018; 21: 583-589.

  4. Holden A, Adam L and Thomson W. The relationship between professional and commercial obligations in dentistry: a scoping review. Br Dent J 2020; 228: 117-122.

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  1. BDJ In Practice, London, United Kingdom

    David Westgarth

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  1. David Westgarth
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Correspondence to David Westgarth.

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Westgarth, D. The commercialisation of dentistry. BDJ In Pract 36, 22–23 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-023-2233-1

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