title: Elective vs. mandatory dentistry.
abstract: A major portion of the dental treatment provided today for the American consumer is elective. Dental patients are confused when they receive diverse treatment plans from different dentists. If treatment plans for oral therapy are divided into mandatory and elective categories, dental patients experience far less confusion. In this article, I have discussed methods of implementing this form of treatment planning. Dividing treatment plans into categories of mandatory and elective care has advantages for dental patients, the dental team and the profession as a whole.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Associates, Provo, Utah 84604, USA.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D003729:Dental Care / Q000145:classification* / Q000639:trends; D005382:Financing, Personal; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D007347:Insurance, Dental; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010358:Patient Participation