A milestone: more than $100 billion for dental services in 1 year--but will it last?
The question of how well prepared were the economics of dentistry for the consequences of the current recession are reviewed at the national and state levels. Marked variations in the use of dental services, expenditures for care, and the sources of funding are considered. The factors are considered as once again, the President and the Congress are laboring over proposals for national health insurance. What are the potential consequences for the practice of dentistry and the patients that are served? Which way should the profession lobby--for inclusion or exclusion?
Waldman
H Barry
HB
Department of General Dentistry, Stony Brook University, NY, USA. hwaldman@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Wong
Allen
A
Perlman
Steven P
SP
D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. / Q000191:economics; D003729:Dental Care / Q000191:economics*; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000191:economics; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000191:economics; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000191:economics; D007347:Insurance, Dental / Q000191:economics; D013781:Texas; D014481:United States