title: Beginning the discussion of commercialism in dentistry.
abstract: There is increasing concern over commercialism in dentistry. Multiple factors contribute to this trend, which has the potential for fragmenting the profession, exacerbating the access issue, and eroding the public's confidence in dentistry. There are both positive and negative aspects of commercialism. Positive approaches for promoting oral health in the face of commercialism hold the greatest promise. The core theme in the recommendations from Ethics Summit on Commercialism is that competent, comprehensive, and continuous oral health care is appropriate and should be promoted to the American public.
authors.affiliation: University of the Pacific, Arthur A Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Franciso, USA.
authors.forename: Marcia A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ralls
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D000329:Advertising; D003132:Commerce; D016265:Conflict of Interest; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D003813:Dentistry / Q000592:standards*; D004468:Economics, Dental; D004990:Ethics, Dental; D005249:Fees and Charges; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D011215:Practice Management, Dental / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics; D014342:Truth Disclosure