What is the “Standard of Care”?

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The American Academy of Dentistry emphasizes a standard of care that’s focused on delivering high-quality, ethical treatment with patient safety and well-being as top priorities. It involves staying up-to-date with the latest advancements and guidelines in the field, ensuring comprehensive diagnosis, clear communication, and informed consent. This standard guides dentists to provide consistent, effective, and compassionate care across all aspects of dental practice.

The American Dental Association (ADA) defines the standard of care as the level of care and expertise that a reasonably prudent dentist would provide under similar circumstances. This includes:

1. Evidence-Based Practice: Following the latest research and clinical guidelines.
2. Patient Safety: Ensuring a safe environment and taking reasonable precautions.
3. Informed Consent: Clearly communicating with patients and obtaining their consent before treatment.
4. Timely Care: Providing treatment in a timely manner.
5. Comprehensive Care: Addressing all aspects of the patient’s oral health.

The ADA emphasizes that the standard of care can vary based on legal definitions and community practices, but it generally revolves around what is considered reasonable and prudent in the dental profession.

As far as I am aware Dr. Jim Garry a pillar and Legendary doctor in Neuromuscular Dentistry was a board certified Pediatric dentist.  Among our Occlusion Connections (OC) doctors we also have a board certified periodontist highly achieved Dr. Jennifer Cha. There might be other specialists among us we are not aware of that gave up their SPECIALIST license to be able to practice general dentistry voluntarily.  The beauty of being a general dentist is that you can treat any dental patient without the restriction of a SPECIALIST license.  We treat any patient with TM joint dysfunction and other dental concerns that a general dentist is allowed to practice not necessarily limited to oral facial pain.  The approach we are taking both neuromuscular and gnathology are time tested.  Myotronics company and Dr. Robert Jankleson has gone through many years of legal battle with FDA and won the case. Dental J5 TENS and the K7 are both FDA approved dental devices. 

Neuromuscular Dentistry has been practiced in the United States for 57 years. The term was introduced to the dental profession by Dr. Bernard Jankelson in 1967. Dr. Jankelson’s pioneering work laid the foundation for this field, which focuses on the relationship between the teeth, jaw joints, and muscles to diagnose and treat temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and other orofacial pain conditions. Dr. Bernard Jankelson has been recognized as the “Father of Neuromuscular Dentistry”.

Gnathology is an approach many prudent dentists have been practicing with for over a century.  Please check out who BB McCollum and Gus Swab are and what are their approaches in regards to occlusal harmony. I came from this lineage of teaching.  My mentor was Dr. Philip Taylor a student of Dr. Gus Swab.  I studied under him for 2 years just on gnathology. 

Gnathology, the study of the masticatory system (including the jaws and teeth), has been practiced in dentistry in the United States for over 100 years. The field was formally established in the 1920s, with Dr. Beverly B. McCollum often credited as the “Father of Gnathology.” He founded the Gnathological Society in 1926, and significant advancements, such as the development of the McCollum Gnathoscope in the 1930s, helped solidify gnathology as a crucial area of dental research and practice.

You all are also under this prestigious lineage.  In either aspect what is it that we practice that is not to the standard of care? 

We objectively measure, analyze and assess following a scientific methodology in our diagnosis. Most dentists and dental specialist don’t measure.  There is nothing wrong with scientifically measuring bio-physiologic responses of our patients. Some seem to have a problem with those dentists who measure and test.  We use measurements according to standards that are based on millimeters and microvolts.  Just because a group of dentists might have a different approach or way of doing things or even a different philosophy does not mean that we are not practicing to the “Standard of Care”.

As general dentists, we have the right to practice according to one’s belief, just as any endondontist, prosthodontist, orthodontist, implant specialist, pediatric dentist, even the Orofacial Pain Specialist, etc.  We have the right to practice our convictions.  Just because we GNM minded doctors measure jaw relationships, muscle activity, occlusal balance and joint sound conditions using their K7 and J5 dental TENS doesn’t mean that we are not practicing to the standard of care.  That is the misnomer and the attack on those of us who do.  OC GNM dentist believe in these occlusal principles of scientifically measuring to aid in our diagnosis and prior to implementing a mode of treatment.  Gathering objective data helps us to assess and determine what is wrong and what is right with our patients.  As dentists we do everything that every other dentists does according to the standard of care and more! 

OC teachings and practices are nothing but above the “Standard of Care” which are considered reasonable and prudent.

Clayton A. Chan, D.D.S. – Dentist