An editorial is supposed to spotlight issues of importance, be a little provocative, and stimulate discussion and dialogue. Judging by the letters, e-mails and telephone calls engendered by our March editorial, it appears that we have succeeded in achieving these goals. We understood that the topic of changing the oral health care workforce was sensitive and would evoke both rational and emotional responses. We also recognized that there were many different—and valid—perspectives on this issue. We respect and appreciate other points of view, and we welcome the dialogue our editorial has provoked. Nevertheless, we have decided to respond to some of the comments made in some of the letters that we have received.
Our editorial had two main purposes:
- – to look at and learn from our medical colleagues’ experiences with the creation of a new medical allied health workforce model;
- – to suggest that we proactively define what the role of the dentist would be if the creation of midlevel practitioners became a reality.
We did not suggest that we should emulate the medical model, nor did we suggest or support a particular type of midlevel provider.
Another bone of contention seemed to be our suggestion that academic institutions take a lead role in training the different oral health care professionals. There are many different issues that need to be addressed, including public health and political issues, financial concerns and educational strategies. Although we suggested that academic institutions would be most appropriate as facilitators of this process, we also suggested that all stakeholders should be at the table for the ensuing debate.
Scope of practice among professionals is one of the most contentious issues in this debate, but this topic has been addressed in a previous editorial.1
Our options to proceed are simple. We can do nothing and let this issue be decided for us, or we can initiate an all-inclusive dialogue and find our own solutions. We are delighted that our editorial has stimulated a discussion on this topic, and we hope that the outcome will be productive and beneficial to all oral health care professionals and to our patients.
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