Health Economist Says Reform of Dental Care Delivery System Is Vital

In 1926, the work of William Gies helped chart a new course for dentistry. I think we are approaching another “Gies” moment in which the dental community must face some hard facts and ask itself how effectively the current system is improving the oral health of the American public. In my view, the current dental care delivery and financing model will not drive significant, sustained improvements in oral health going forward like it did in the past, particularly for key segments of the population. We are stuck. And the changes needed to get unstuck are not tweaks, but major reforms.