CHICAGO, November 1, 2024 — The American Dental Association (ADA) is aware of a recent news story about patients claiming they were harmed after receiving dental implants at private equity-backed dental implant clinics. The story also alleges healthy teeth were removed to place the implants at these clinics and cited data from a report by the ADA Health Policy Institute noting a nine-fold increase in private equity owned dental practices from 2015-2021.
Dentists are doctors of oral health dedicated to the improvement of their patients’ oral and overall health. It’s important to note that dentists have earned the trust of the public as consistently demonstrated by ranking within the top 10 professions for honesty and integrity among professions according to Gallup polls. In 2023, dentistry ranked #4.
Dental implants are one of several options to help restore oral functionality allowing people to eat, speak and smile free of pain. In all settings, patients should expect to first be comprehensively examined by a dentist and then have a conversation about the range of treatment options available based on the dentist’s diagnosis. Preserving healthy dentition is always a consideration when developing treatment options. Such options may include restorations, crowns, bridges, implants, or prosthetics like dentures depending upon the diagnosis, individual’s oral health status and patients’ needs and preferences.
Patients are encouraged to ask questions about their treatment options and alternatives that may be available – if they are uncomfortable with what is being recommended, they should feel free to seek a second opinion.
Any discussion regarding the financing of complex dental procedures, such as implants or full arch implants, should take place only after patients have discussed the range of treatment options with their dentists.
Regardless of practice ownership, dentists are ultimately responsible for their patients’ diagnoses, treatment planning and care. The ADA believes that dentists should adhere to the highest ethical standards and place patient welfare first as described in the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct.
For more information about oral health, visit MouthHealthy.org, the ADA’s public education website.
Statement on Dental Implant Practices in the News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
About the American Dental Association
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing 159,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance has long been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), published monthly, is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ADA.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA's consumer website MouthHealthy.org.