title: Oral health care is not an entitlement.
abstract: The basic system for distributing oral health care in America is economic. With the assistance of government support and insurance to smooth out wide swings, Americans choose the level of care they desire and can afford. Adjustments to this system are desirable to both increased the overall level of oral health and to achieve a fairer distribution. These adjustments can be approached through (a) positive personal responses such as voluntary service, (b) working to improve the social good through the political process, or (c) proclaiming a right guaranteeing a minimum level oral health care. The first two approaches have much to recommend them. The argument from rights is not currently accepted by moral philosophers and appears to be ineffective. Further, the rights approach is off-putting and not conducive to positive discussions. In addition, it both undercuts the political approach based on the social good and questions the moral virtue of volunteerism.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D002608:Charities; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006295:Health Resources / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006801:Humans; D009909:Oral Health; D012922:Social Change; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012946:Social Welfare; D017664:Uncompensated Care; D014481:United States