Asymmetry of information in dentistry

Dentistry is one of many professions where there is asymmetry of information between the professional (dentist) and the customer (patient). Patients go to dentists because the dentists know much more about dentistry. However, KFF Health News published an article detailing how such disparity in knowledge can go wrong for the patient. The article raises the possibility that dental practices are steering their patients towards expensive treatment options, even if those options are not necessary and might even worsen patient health. The article also explores the question of whether private equity's ownership of some large dental chains might exert unwarranted influence on clinical decisions.

A former president of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry "said he believed dentists are too ethical and patients are too smart to be pressured by private equity owners 'who will never see a patient.'" On the surface, that statement seems rather naive -- that someone would believe that an entire profession would be immune to conflicts of interest. Realistically, the speaker was likely responding in broad strokes for a good sound bite. Unfortunately, such pithy responses are not helpful when policy makers struggle with how to handle the apparently rising number of malpractice complaints.

Interestingly, the main patient featured in the article shared her experience with a dental chain that started off with a patient education consultant (apparently, a non-clinical salesperson). It was only after she agreed to a treatment plan and loan terms that she was seen by a dentist. Practices where corrective dental (or medical) care is sold before an assessment by a qualified individual seem extremely unprofessional.