Professional encroachment

A comparison of the emergence of denturists in Canada and Oregon

Bibliographic Data

ID11026848
AuthorsDavid I Rosenstein (Oregon Health & Science University), L P Joseph, Larkin Joseph (Oregon Health & Science University), L J Mackenzie, Lauren Mackenzie (Oregon Health & Science University), Ron Wyden (Oregon Health & Science University)
Year1980
Volume70
Issue6
Pages614-618
Publication date1980-06-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.70.6.614
PMID6937634
OpenAlexW2079990224
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited7

In 1978, supporters of denturism in Oregon succeeded in passing an initiative which allows denturists to provide dentures directly to the public. The steps which led to the referendum included three unsuccessful attempts to have the state legislature enact a law legalizing denturism. After capturing broad-based consumer support, the issue was placed on the ballot and passed by an overwhelming margin. Both the denturists and the dentists in Oregon adopted strategies similar to those used in Canada over 20 years ago when the issue was raised in a number of provinces. As was the case in Canada, the denturists prevailed. Denturists stressed the price differential and the issue of freedom of choice. Dentists stressed health and safety issues. The public perceived the dentists' campaign as negative and self-serving. This perception may have contributed to the election results. In order to avoid this tarnished image, dentists must anticipate the public's needs, and formulate strategies to meet such needs

Ballot · Legislature · Political science · Politics · Public health · Public relations · Referendum · State (computer science) · State legislature · Voting · Dental Education, Practice, Research · Law · Medicine · Nursing · Public Administration