October 1999

In the June and the July 1999 editor's columns, speaking about organization, we briefly touched on confidentiality. The importance of confidential data is all too often overlooked. Most dental technicians and denturists either depend on dentist accounts for their livelihood or they provide underground denture services. Of course, this varies from state to state and there are exceptions; but for the most part, is this assertion correct? If it is, we must take precaution. Some of the things that I am going to mention may sound almost paranoid. Around 1980 The state of Florida had a denturist association of 286 members. They were gaining momentum in the legislation, their organization was growing, many were practicing directly for the public and they were gaining a lot of public support. Then some dentists started sending technician spies to the meetings who would then write down the names of the attending denturists. It was not long before three prominent denturists were targeted, arrested for practicing dentistry without a license, which is a felony in Florida, and all were sentenced to one to two years in a penitentiary; serving the remaining five years on parole. This happened about nineteen years ago. Needless to say, this was the end of the Florida denturist association, to this day! What can we learn from this experience?

First, we must realize how vulnerable we are, as technicians and denturists. We need to work smarter in order to accomplish our goals without jeopardizing ourselves or our families. To a great extent, because of dentistry's illegal targeting of denturist leadership, most state denturist organizations will have no alternative but to organize their members in an under ground fashion. Some state coordinators have even elected to be anonymous, using alias names. Others are choosing a close friend, relative, neighbor or a zealous denture wearer to be the front person in their state organizations. This is not paranoia; how many of us want to put ourselves, our families, our profession, our livelihood and everything that we have, on the line? If you have nothing to lose or don't mind risking your neck, you may be a good candidate for coordinator in your state. However, keep in mind that many in the past have unnecessarily took risks for our profession that, today, wish they haven't. The ADAC State Coordinator Program assures you that if your state coordinator happens to be an alias, he or she is tactful, experienced, capable and has passed a background check. We also assure you that the treasurer of your state association will meet similar guidelines.

P hone numbers and addresses of many state coordinators are currently extended so as to put them out of harms way with the local dental community. One technician commented that he would not be a part of something of this nature. But stop and think a minute; isn't there a lot of technicians out there bushwhacking? Others have placed a dentist as a mere front, so that they, the technician, can do all the operative procedures of fitting the dentures. So what is unethical or degrading about a legal underground state association? Although underground, these state organizations are completely legal, legitimate and should be something to be proud of and if for nothing else, because we have found a vehicle that can out wit organized dentistry and its cruel monopoly. If this would have been done twenty years ago, along with the educational program that is now available to us, all the states would have been legal by now. These underground state organizations will only have to exist a little while because the denturist movement is making extremely rapid progress. Getting involved with our state association, now, will put each one of us in a lucrative position.

O ur affiliated organizations, attorneys and strategists are about to achieve a major event that will rapidly usher independent denturist practice through out the entire country. Being a part of your state association will keep you actively informed and abreast of legal, legislative and other governmental decisions and updates that will probably allow denturists to openly practice early on; even before the law actually changes. How are we going to be ready? How are we going to know what action to take? We must keep informed so that we can be available for the local educational provisions to prepare us for our licensing examination. There is nothing for us to loose by joining our state association and everything to gain. Dues will be minimal. Our labs and denture practices will not be on the line. Our families will be secure. All we will have to worry about is making money, taking care of our families and contributing a small portion toward our state association. We can not reveal any of the operations; but if you knew how close the grand finale is and how certain it is, you would already be involved.

The underground organizations will not have to be around long; but take advantage of them while they are in existence. To be ready, is the only way we will be able to cash in on our dream. And, of course, if you personally don't feel that you are in a vulnerable position, you may be a good candidate to be a state coordinator. We invite all of you to share your opinion on this matter. Please e-mail us at everjo@juno.com Thank you for your visit.