A Bill Might End Conflict Between Dentists

The source of dispute is between Alabama’s dentists and a non profit corporation that has become a dental industry leader in the area. The organization has fought its way to the top and attracted attention through the fact that it has offered free dental care for thousands of low income people from Alabama. They offered tooth cleanings, fillings, extractions, and many other dental services.

The source of dispute is between Alabama’s dentists and a non profit corporation that has become a dental industry leader in the area.

The organization has fought its way to the top and attracted attention through the fact that it has offered free dental care for thousands of low income people from Alabama. They offered free tooth cleanings, fillings, extractions, and many other dental services.

Gov. Robert Bentley’s signature might be an all deciding factor, if the much awaited bill will be signed by him.

According to Bentley, the legislation that he is currently reviewing clearly says that non profit organizations are indeed allowed to provide free dental care but they must register with the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners, which is the regulating body in the dentistry field of the state. Sarrell Dental Centers from Anniston has pushed the bill, because it has been at odds with the dental establishment of the entire state, being suspected that it is operating illegally on the market.

CEO of the Sarrell Dental Jeffrey Parker says that the legislation was backed by their company in order to resolve once and for all this question, because there are several other smaller such companies out there who struggle with the same problem.

At Sarrell Dental there are currently working 52 dentists in 11 different clinics and a mobile unit. According to estimation from the company’s CEO, revenues for this year for the company will sum up to approximately $15 million, because more than 100,000 patients will get treatment.

The executive director of the Board of Dental Examiners Keith Warren says that the legislation is basically a compromise among agency and its regulators, who were looking after more binding and strict rules. He further tells that such a bill would oblige these organizations to register with the board. Thus, the board would gain authority over them, and if any complaint is being filed, they can go on and investigate the case.

Director Parker of Sarrell Dental says that the company has treated successfully well over 300,000 dental patients without any complaint being filed so far. More than 90% of their patients come from the younger strata of the society, from low income families, and their dental care is being funded by the Medicare program or the insurance program called ALLKids.

The tensions have been further amplified by the fact that students have been withdrawn from the company’s clinics. After this, Sarell Dental has filed a suit, and ever since the Federal Trade Commission has started its investigations to see whether there have been made any illegalities.

According to Zack Studstill, the legislation has been supported by the Alabama Dental Association, and this fact is a reflection of the joint effort of Sarrell Dental and the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama to come finally to a mutual understanding and forget about the issue so that everyone can operate their businesses according to the law. If Bentley will sign the bill, Parker’s company will end the antitrust litigation against the association.