A chiropractic colleague of ours (I'll keep his name secret) writes a very upsetting letter concerning discriminatory activities among his dental community. Let's hear what he has to say.
"Dear Dr. Curl: Since many dentists in my town are opposed to patients seeing chiropractors for treatment of TMJ problems, (one actually said, "If you see a chiropractor I will not treat you."), can you provide me with any policies issued by state or national dentistry associations concerning referral to chiropractic physicians?
Sincerely, Dr. JR"
What to Do?
It is my understanding that the national and state organizations do not condone the activities of dentists as Dr. JR describes. In fact, should these problems arise in your community, you may want to consider the successful techniques we learned from the Wilk case with the AMA. Basically, you should contact other DCs in the community and send a letter stating your dilemma to the state and national dental organizations. These organizations, especially the national one (the American Dental Association, i.e., ADA), should help you nip this problem in the bud.
It is my experience that anti-chiropractic dentistry is a localized problem and is not a reflection of dentistry in general. I say that because I know so many dentists and chiropractors who work happily side by side.
Another solution is to send a letter to the offending dentist(s). It is a good idea to include a letter of reference from another dentist or some literature on chiropractic and TM disorders.
Here's a sample letter I send to DCs:
To: My dental colleagues
Re: Chiropractors
From time to time I will get a concerned letter or phone call saying, in effect, chiropractic and dentistry do not -- or should not -- mix. More often than not this leads to a request for my suggestions on building or improving professional relations between two of the largest health care professions, namely dentistry and chiropractic. I think you would agree that from my vantage point (as a dentist and chiropractor) I clearly see two worlds, dental and chiropractic. It is also clear to me, painfully so, that I do not like hearing stereotypes and prejudicial criticisms leveled against either profession. Dentists do not spread AIDS, nor do they butcher TM disorder patients. Equally, chiropractors are not unscientific nor are they inept in treating TM disorders.
You may be interested in knowing that dentists and chiropractors practice together in the area of TM disorders all over the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and any other place where both exist in sufficient numbers.
Why? For many reasons -- all of which are in the best interest of the patient. Honestly, your prejudice against chiropractic is unjustified. Find a chiropractor you are comfortable with and take the time to learn! Look in your dental literature -- chiropractors have published on their role in TM disorders. You will be impressed and satisfied.
For your convenience, I have enclosed a copy of one of the many recent articles discussing the chiropractic management of TM disorders.
Sincerely,
Darryl D. Curl, DDS, DC
Norco, California
Director of the Pacific Faculty Resource Group
Associate Professor,
Department of Diagnosis, Los Angeles College of Chiropractic
With each article, I encourage you to write the questions you may have, commentaries on patient care, or thoughts to share with your colleagues, to me at the following address (please include your return address):
Darryl Curl, DC, DDS
2330 Golden West Lane
Norco, California 91760
