Dentists call for overbite oversight
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Dentists are aiming to shut down SmileDirectClub, a popular service that makes it easy for a person to straighten their teeth at home with mail-order clear aligners with little oversight, thus disrupting the business model for the American dentist, according to an article posted on BuzzFeed on Saturday.
The American Association of Orthodontists, representing 18,000 dental professionals, has lodged complaints with dental boards and attorneys general in 36 states, claiming that SmileDirect’s service, which allows customers to skip in-person doctor visits and X-rays, is “illegal and creates medical risks,” according to the internet news site.
SmileDirect charges a fraction of what an orthodontist charges to straighten crooked teeth, making it an attractive option for those who cannot afford the traditional method.
Buzzfeed reported that three state dental boards — in Alaska, California and West Virginia — are actively investigating the service and in August Alaska’s board voted to ask the state’s licensing division to send a cease-and-desist letter barring SmileDirect from selling there.
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