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Teeth are a part of digestive system

tometalk
1 Recommendation

Many skilled full and partial denture technicians are retiring. Colleges that train dental technicians are eliminating their technology programs because no one wants to get an associates degree in Dental Technology and after graduating start earning under 10-an-hour. Dentists coming out of school don’t want to do dentures because it’s difficult. Denture maker Arvid Saunaitis of Kromex Dental Laboratory on the Southwest Side of Chicago warns, “A lot of people will be walking around with no teeth.” Other experts say that the quality of full and partial dentures will suffer because unskilled workers will get their training on the job. Ill-dentures and partials also can cause sores, jaw pain and headaches. This is an excerpt from an article that appeared in a Chicago newspaper in 2003 entitled “Baby boomers better save their teeth pearly whites.”
The prediction made in 2003 was very accurate and today, the less fortunate with fixed income know exactly what I’m talking about. For me to continue further, I will need to see some interest first.
Arvid Saunaitis

Explore topics in this discussion:

Dental health Pain Tourette syndrome

15 replies

denturist

Denturist across America, are trying to provide affordable denture care service to the people that are economically disadvantaged but instead are forced to use resources fighting and defending our services.

Here in the U.S. corporate ADA, the American Dental Association does everything it can to suppress the denturist profession across the nation, with the ADA's monopolistic grip on dentures and their high denture prices, due to their high overhead, leaving the edentulous, denture-less, and paying the denture lab technicians pennies, for a oral prosthesis (denture) that's worthy of artistic recognition.

Denturists are on the front lines providing denture care to the homeless, those on a fixed or low income, the disabled, veterans and/or senior citizen. Most of the denture patients I see have been edentulous for 10 or more years and have no plans of going to a dentist because they have no natural teeth and they can't afford the high prices dentists charge.


People across America need a public outcry to state legislators to support the denturist profession so denturist can provide affordable denture service directly to the public, without harassment from the American Dental Association and state dental associations.

Thank you for your consideration. Gary W. Vollan, L.D.


“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

tometalk

I’m surprised there is another professional out there not afraid to speak up. Through ought generations, dental technicians have bin scared into believing that any negative comment about the dental industry will lead to the end of their professional carriers. Even today, dental technology is kept in the dark so the public continues to believe that the dentists are the only ones responsible for the construction of all dental appliances. This has bin done to control profit margins for the dentist. The dentist usually charges the patient 5 to 15 times the lab fee. The technician who used to graduate from a two-year dental technology program from a community college started out just over minimum wage. Today most or all of the colleges have already closed their dental technology programs do to lack of enrolment.
The solution is obvious. No one in his or her right mind will stay in a profession you cannot earn a living to support a family. I made a suggestion to the dental industry a long time ago. Offer the patient three labs they can choose from. Top of the line, (already extinct for partial dentures) you can guarantee the work. Middle of the road (draw your own conclusions). If the patient chooses the low end, they are responsible for their choice. If you pay for a Kia Rio, don’t expect the performance of a Cadillac.
By allowing the patient to choose and pay the lab bill themselves, will free the dentist from the consequences of the patient’s decision. If the patient sticks with quality, it will reduce chair time for the dentist and unnecessary aggravation. The dentist’s fee based on 5-15 times the lab fee will destroy dental technology in this country within ten years.
Keep the conversation going and invite other denturists, caring dentists and dental technicians to participate in the discussion. The public is welcome too.
Arvid Saunaitis

tometalk

Dentistry in this country needs a major overhaul-(After reading the following, decide for yourselves.)

Story was reported on NBC-www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/15882097.html
(There are concerns tonight that the lead found in Chinese toys may also be showing up in implants, crowns and dentures from China and India. The imports aren’t strictly regulated and have made some people sick. There are no laws requiring dentist to tell you where they buy the products, but Florida lawmakers are pushing for full disclosure.
Dentists charge over $1,000 per crown or veneer. If they can get a crown made in China for $45.00, there is no reason for them to pay a lab in the US $95.00?)

I personally invented a dental appliance the media called the snap on teeth. After my appliance was aired on NBC news stations in 2004, (Video URL: http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=&vid=5c90e5bc-31e5-4e3 7-9d23-9884be1846d1) it became an instant hit. Soon after, few dentists determined to cash in on the popularity of my appliance presented a plastic appliance that has been around for thirty years and mostly used in movies to create various characters. Robin William’s appliance in the movie Ms Doubtfire broke several times during filming, (or so I hear}. My appliance has metal chewing surface, is very durable and it took me ten years to develop. Their so claimed invented appliance showed up a month after mine. How can something of quality be developed in such a short time. The reporters who reported the story on the plastic teeth did it without any investigating and their actions caused many patients to be scammed out of their hard earned money. The following are comments from patients that got ripped off:

“I went to NYC and wasted $1500 for a lower piece that looks like a toy for Halloween. I had to pay up front and when I picked them up and had them placed in my mouth, the whole office staff raved how real and beautiful they looked. The more I looked at them, the more I hated them. It also hurt. When I removed them, I though my teeth were going to fall out. I called the next day and wanted my money back. I couldn’t handle how FAKE they looked and my family and friends agreed. When I went to the office, the Dr. was a jerk and everyone was so different. How dare he sell a piece of plastic toy for $1500. To make this miserable story short, he refunded $500 and I had to sign a paper. I hope he gets caught and exposed real soon. I won’t say his name, but since there are only a couple of them using the same appliance and story, I would hope they all meet with law suits soon. I work hard for my money and I feel I have been robed and he got away with it and continues to do so.

“Hi Guys I live here in New York and was very interested in the snap-ons until I went to see Dr “I will not go back to again”. 1st of all they told me that the consultation visit was free. But when they told me that it will cost me 2,700 for the upper and lower and I will have to pay up front, no refunds, I didn’t want them. They charged me $100.00 for the 2 minutes of consultation.”

“These are a complete joke. Don't waste your time or your money unless you want to look like a circus freak. I'll be lucky if I get back even half of my bill. I called the dentist 4 hours after leaving because granted the time I allowed to get used to it, I still hate them every time I look at them. I had to take them out. Point in case: Snap on teeth are just that; Snap-On teeth. So if it's too good to be true, it probably is.”

“They look like a big hunk of white plastic stuck to your mouth.”
“They are not worth the money, I wasted mine. And I am angry.”

“I heard that they could make it look like any celebrity’s teeth (or maybe that was something else) Well, I live near New York, and I heard that "Snap on teeth" actually look like "Snap on teeth". And after seeing them, I was really disappointed.”
Back to where I left off:
NBC tried to help me and reported that in order for my appliance to be readily available, a dental manufacturer had to step in to help. After I contacted all the dental manufacturers to help me develop equipment to simplify construction and they all refused (my appliance would cut into the big profits made on crowns and veneers) and I was unable to find dental technicians to help me construct the appliances, (most capable partial denture dental technicians already left the dental industry), I decided to walk away from the dental industry and present my story in a book.

Arvid Saunaitis

denturist

Thanks Tometalk. It's nice your coming out and talking about the facts regarding the denture laboratory profession and the abuse the profession has dealt with in the past and continues to deal with as they work with dentists.

Don't get me wrong, there are a few good dentists out there that recognize denture laboratory technicians as professionals along with paying their worth. I have that blessed opportunity as we speak. The two dentist I work with truly care about the welfare of their patients and their staff.

The balance of the working relationship between the dentist and denture laboratory technician has always tipped more favorably on the side of the dentist than the denture technician.

A number of denture laboratory technicians moved forward in the profession by becoming denturists because of the expectations of being the dentist's counter-part but rarely with the denture technician receiving the deserved gratitude of those expectations.

Instead we worked long hours (not by choice), didn't get paid for those long hours which usually involved remakes due to error of the dentists or assistants doing procedures.

Our jobs as denture technicians were usually held over our heads for us to jump, reach, and grab at, while the dentist decided which dental lab they would use if and when we complained or insisted that things be done differently and maybe even getting paid for the 60 or 90 day past due lab invoice.

The good fight is not with any current or past dentist. I’ve worked with some good dentist as a denture lab technician and as a denturist. A good majority of the dentist would rather spend their chairtime in restorative and cosmetic dentistry not dentures.

So what's the problem? Corporate ADA. The American Dental Association’s big money politics, waste and not being able to relate to the dental needs of the people. It’s nothing different than what denture technicians and denturist have always dealt with as the counter-part of the dental profession.

Corporate ADA has no faith in its ability to provide for the dental needs of the American public. Even as denture technicians, we have always known we we're better at being able to meet the denture needs of the American public and the American Dental Association knows it. We are a thorn in ADA’s side and they want us gone.

The American Dental Association has in place, a number of build up and award programs for dental lab technicians for good reason and then it supports outsourcing of dental prostheses. Something’s not right with this picture.

It’s one thing to pay pennies to the dental lab technician for dental prostheses but yet another thing to outsource the work away from the mom and pop dental labs across America.

More and more people are doing without dental care because of ADA's, the American Dental Association policy making. They spend 10's of thousands of dollars for meetings to establish these policies that are leaving more and more people without dental care.

The policies discriminating against the economically disadvantaged Americans are those that are directed at stopping denturist, dental health aides and independent practices for dental hygienist. The American Dental Association sends money to state dental associations with expectation that the state associations will uphold ADA's policies but in turn it's a negative reflection on the state associations because their using the money for reasons other than meeting the dental needs of the people of the state.

The American Dental Association could better serve the dental needs of the American people by giving the dental hygienists the freedom of their own boards and independent practices so they can better serve the preventive needs of the American people by serving in the area of public health.

Corporate ADA can take the necessary steps for independent practice of the denturist profession and the dental health aide therapists across the Nation. Dental health aide therapists would serve the same level that a physician’s assistant serves today. This would free up dentist to use their eight or more years of schooling and experience in extensive restorative dentistry and specialty areas of dentistry.

It would direct the need for more money for education for all areas of the dental profession. This would create more qualified doctors and less of the unethically inclined dentists that are in practice today due to dental school programs one size fit all level of the DDS degree.

People need to get on the American Dental Association internet site and do a watch dog of the programs in place and see the money that’s wasted. It’s disgraceful, with the number of Americans doing without dental care. You’d think with all the money, power, and intellect the American Dental Association has it would do things differently.

Please consider this critique of corporate ADA.

Thank you---Gary W. Vollan L.D.
www.wysda.org 307-568-2047

tometalk

During the last few decades, the dental industry has made great strides in helping dentists enhance the appearance of their patients. With the use of high-tech computers and extensive training programs, dental manufacturers have transcended crown and bridge and implants into a new era of dental technology. For patients who are no longer candidates for implants or crown and bridge restorations because of bone loss — or for those who cannot afford the high cost of these procedures — removable partials are an alternative. Unfortunately, removable partials are being forced into extinction to increase profits made on crowns and veneers. For the past 20 years, I have worked hard to prevent this quickly approaching disaster by publishing suggestions, contacting dental and government organizations, and asking private corporations for assistance. Unfortunately, I have failed. The dental industry does not care and the public will not take the initiative to help themselves. I strongly believe that if something is not done soon, the damage will be irreversible and an aging population and future generations will suffer.
Arvid Saunaitis

denturist

With respect to our country being a democracy and our economic system based on free enterprise; more competition and choices in providers of quality and regulated healthcare is the answer to the expensive, inaccessible healthcare problems Americans are faced with.

People are discouraged by inaccessibility and high prices in seeking treatment for minor symptoms that fester into more severe health conditions.

This Nation’s broken healthcare system is due to corporate AMA, the American Medical Association and corporate ADA, the American Dental Association. Both are stocked (with pride) in the pharmaceutical corporations with all due respect to “research”.

Referring to democracy and Michael Moore’s “Sicko”, GET INVOLVED revolution in motion across the Nation; there are a number of consumer advocate organizations, for change in our current healthcare crisis. These organizations offer GET INVOLVED programs directed toward community, state, and national involvement to make changes in our current healthcare crisis.

Legislation and initiatives across our Nation are needed to address the policies that have been systematically imposed on this Nation by corporate AMA and ADA that leaves millions of Americans with no healthcare or healthcare that is inadequate due to corporate waste and greed. GET INVOLVED.

"Regulating the denturist profession across the Nation in providing affordable denture care for the economically disadvantaged is the little thing we can do to make a big difference in the wellness of people. People are healthier and more productive when they have a denture that functions properly." Gary W. Vollan L.D.

tometalk

As I previously explained, “removable partials are being forced into extinction by a few greedy individuals in the dental industry. For the past 20 years, I have worked hard to prevent this quickly approaching disaster by publishing suggestions, contacting dental and government organizations, and asking private corporations for assistance. Unfortunately, I have failed. The dental industry does not care and the public will not take the initiative to help themselves.”
Can anyone tell me why people don’t want to help themselves? Personally, my family and I can afford the best dental care and always go to the best and most caring dentists. Since I’m no longer in the dental industry, I have nothing to gain by exposing the truth. However, this is my last attempt. The only support I received so far has been from a Denturist, Gary W. Vollan L.D in U.S. News & World Report discussion forum. When I attempted to expose the truth in an on line dental journal, I also temporarily received support from a handful of caring dentists and other dental professionals. Unfortunately, that did not last long. Everyone who supported me, including myself, was immediately ridiculed by a handful of obnoxious dentists and crown and bridge technicians forcing us to disassociate ourselves from the online publication. During my short association with the publication, my computer was hacked into, web sites were set up under Arvid Saunaitis containing viruses, received someone else’s death life insurance policy with my name typed over theirs, and an invitation to fictitious seminar which was supposed to explain how loose lips sink ships and why I should be aware of intruders. I could continue, but I think you get the point.
Former dental technician
Arvid Saunaitis

MarySix

I believe you should approach a journalist and ask that an article be run in a newspaper asking the public to write in, if they have had a similar problem with any dentists in the City. Get names of the dentists concerned.

Then the letters should be compiled and sent to the FDA or similar body for investigation. Even though you have been forced to sign a `default' agreement and were `paid off' with $500 the dentist is still in business as no one stands up to him.

Who are you protecting....

I don't know the legal implications, but newspapers are powerful allies, it is worth a try

Marys

denturist

Arvid, I commend you on standing up for your rights for free speech. I'm sorry you had to deal with adversity that come with that freedom.

Denture technicians and denturist are known for their fight against the American Dental Association and are known advocates for those that are unable to pay the high denture prices that dentist need to charge, due to their high office overhead leaving the edentulous wearing ill-fitting dentures and in some cases denture-less.

For myself the fight to regulate the denturist profession across America is never ending. Most of us that decide to be denturist have been raised in the profession or are from a long line of teachers moving us and molding us to be denturist.

Most denturist are compassionate, caring and fighters of freedom.

Let's remember though. This isn't about you or me. This about affordable health care. This is about people having access to affordable denture care. This is about choices for those in need of denture care.

The denturist profession has proven in states that regulate it, to be a compassionate and caring profession.

It has lived up to the same high standards it's voters approved of when they voted for it; along with additional referral standards that serve the wellness of the people.

The Denturist Profession in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Maine has continued to provide safe and quality standards in affordable denture care services.

Some of the states that regulate and license the denturist profession have been providing safe and quality standards of care in affordable denture care for 30 years. Denturist in Canada have been serving the edentulous for almost 50 years and the United Kindom regulated the denturist profession nationally in July of 2007.

I think your courageous Arvid for standing up for others. Dentures are a prosthesis and people shouldn't have to do without a needed functionable prosthesis that is needed for good health. You said it best Arvid in your one liner " Teeth are part of the Digestive System". People need good fitting dentures to be healthy. There are too many people in need of dentures service.

If dentist across America cut their denture prices in half, they would not be able to take their valuable restorative and cosmetic chair time to serve the great number of people in need of denture service.

So don't give up Arvid, don't ever give up! Thank you for being here---gary

tometalk

“Dentistry in this country needs a major overhaul” was a topic I presented on a dental forum blog called “Having a Perfect Smile May Be a Snap: Snap-on Smiles”. In the discussion I also mentioned that since dentistry is not a topic the public enjoys reading about, I explained the situation in a crime fiction mafia book entitled Deadly Coincidence. Soon after, a video reviewer who has never seen the book and has no connection to the dental industry commented on the dental blog that the book to him sounds dreadful. To clarify his comment, please read the following excerpt from the book and decide for yourselves:
Corporate Deception The Mafia Way
With law enforcement cracking down on organized crime, doing business as usual has become more risky not only for the Chicago Italian Organization, but also other Italian families. The weakened mafia began to realize that if their way of life was to survive, they needed to make two important changes. One was to adapt business structures of some large American corporations and another was to start competing in today’s global markets. With the black market now becoming free trade, different Italian mafia families began discussions to partner in new business ventures.

Just like the oil companies that hide shady dealings behind trial lawyers and achieve goals by bribing government officials and forming special interest groups, the mafia families decided to do the same by using the dental industry. Since the dental industry was free from government interference, it allowed pathological liars to present an array of bogus dental appliances that had little or no chance on working and through television and other advertising attract the unwary to fall for their schemes. Since there was no one that could stop crooked dentists from scamming the public, the mob believed that they too could use it to deter law enforcement from probing into their operations.

The mob was also aware that the dental dentistry devoted vast resources to squelch its critics and because of it no one ever dared standing up to them. To the mob, the tactics that the dental industry used did not seem that different from what the mobsters had been doing for years themselves. Franco Pizzetti, who was a captain in the Chicago Organization found out about the dental industry from his niece, Bianca Pizzetti, who was a dentist. To help him infiltrate it, he had her become involved with the dental industry’s politics and team up with the Dental Technicians Association that was already on a path of self-destruction for a number of years.
After the Chicago Organization acquired a number of small dental manufacturing companies and dental labs, the mob formed a new corporation called International Dental Supply Company. Besides being involved with the unions, construction, trucking, food and waist disposal industries, the mobsters from the Chicago Organization were ready to operate as well-dressed businessman. Mario Fassino, the boss of the Chicago Organization became the CEO of International Dental Supply Company and with organized crime muscle behind him he warned the big executives of companies like Global Dental Products not to mettle in their affairs.

Global Dental Products was the largest dental supply company in the world and had the biggest territory. They pretty much ran things as they pleased and set the standards for the entire dental industry. Their advertising dollars controlled all major dental publications and the members who they had in their pocket from the Dental Commission, stood behind anything Global Dental Products wanted to achieve.
Mario Fassino knew that Global Dental Products would be the toughest shell to crack and sent their CEO another message warning him not to mettle in their affairs. When he didn’t take the message seriously, he received a more convincing message in a package. The package contained an actual bomb with one wire disconnected and a note that warned, “If you don’t do as you’re told, the wire will be connected the next time.” When he didn’t take that warning seriously, at a dental convention in Las Vegas, the mob boss leaned over and asked him a personal question, “Have you ever had a nightmare which seemed so real that you weren’t sure it was a nightmare?”

tometalk

Dear Mary,
I took your suggestion and have contacted numerous reporters. Unfortunately, only one has responded to my request:

Dear Mr. Saunaitis,
Thank you for taking the time to write to me. Correspondence from readers like you is very important to me. Sharing our points of view is precisely why my contact information is listed. I have forwarded a copy of your email to our Medical reporter.
Thanks again for contacting me and thank you for reading the Chicago Tribune.
Since I’ve heard nothing further from him or anyone else, I’m not optimistic that there’s a reporter out there who will stick out his or her neck to point out errors made by their colleges. Without investigating, they took the word of a self promoting dentist and helped him lure unexpected patients to waist their hard earned money on a false hope. Here is the most recent comment I found on this web site, Having a Perfect Smile May Be a Snap: “Snap-on Smiles”
They are uncomfortable, and only good for looks. I sound like a horse with a bit in its mouth. When I speak, I sound like I have a speech problem and it constantly gives me a headache.
Don't waste your $2,700 like I did. I have gone back to my dentist for so called adjustments with no improvements. I contacted the company and they said they would remake them but my dentist doesn't want to do it.
Bottom line, it's false advertising like most things you see on TV like the miracle cleaners, male enhancements and fitness products.
All these companies are in it to make money, they could care less if you come back again because of the profits they make the first time.

denturist

Please consider the following to be included in healthcare policies.
"Regulating the denturist profession across the Nation in providing affordable denture care for Americans is the little thing we can do to help with the current healthcare crisis Americans are dealing with. People are healthier and more productive when they have a denture that functions properly." Gary W. Vollan L.D.

Denture technicians and denturists are known for their fight against the American Dental Association and are known advocates for those that are unable to pay the high denture prices that dentists need to charge, due to their high office overhead leaving the edentulous wearing ill-fitting dentures and in some cases denture-less.

For myself, the fight to regulate the denturist profession across America is never ending. Most of us that decide to be denturists have been raised in the profession or are from a long line of teachers moving us and molding us to be denturists.

Most denturists are compassionate, caring and fighters of freedom.

Let's remember though. This is about affordable health care. This is about people having access to affordable denture care. This is about choices for those in need of denture care.

The denturist profession has proven in states that regulate it, to be a compassionate and caring profession.

It has lived up to the same high standards its voters approved of when they voted for it; along with additional referral standards that serve the wellness of the people.

The Denturist Profession in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Maine has continued to provide safe and quality standards in affordable denture care services.

Some of the states that regulate and license the denturist profession have been providing safe and quality standards of care in affordable denture care for 30 years. Denturists in Canada have been serving the edentulous for almost 50 years and the United Kindom regulated the denturist profession nationally in July of 2007.

Dentures are a prosthesis and people shouldn't have to do without a needed functional prosthesis that is needed for good health. People need good fitting dentures to be healthy. There are too many people in need of denture service.

If dentists across America cut their denture prices in half, they would not be able to take their valuable restorative and cosmetic chair time to serve the great number of people in need of denture service.

As a student at the University of Wyoming, I have included a link to my research paper, regarding the Denturist profession and oral healthcare.

Thank you for your consideration---gary http://www.wysda.org

http://www.wyomingstatedenturistassociation.org/documents/Denturist%20and%2 0Oral%20Healthcare-

Mikeangel2

Denturist,
I live in W.Va. and have worked all of my life. My insurance plan did not include dental or visual care, so my children did not get the needed care when younger (I am a single parent and just NOW reached the $26,000 salarya level). My youngest son, 24, has Tourette Syndrome and ADD. He is trying to work instead of getting on SSI. (working at Walmart part-time and no insurance).
He has a wisdom tooth that is almost totally black and hurting and no money for extras (just rent, essentials).
My brother had MS and died not of MS, but of sepsis from an infected tooth.
I got on internet and searched "free" clinics in our area. We also have a dental school at WVU and students work on patients. When I contacted the dental school, it would have cost him $l96 to be seen, get an x-ray, and the tooth removed (up front payment). The "free" clinic wanted $160 up front payment.
NOW, what if a person has no money and gets an infection??? Should they just lie down and die??? I cannot believe that the medical profession (who used to have an oath to keep people alive) has changed that much.
I understand that much of this has come from people just suing for no reason at all and the exhorbitant settlements. It is a wonder doctors or dentists would even want to practice.
BUT, I am afraid my son could die of an infection. "Free" clinics are not free.
Janna

denturist

Hi Mikeangel2,

Help! Get with your son and call all the local dental offices in his area. Find a dentist that will take payments. Call the nurses at public health. Public health usually has funding for emergencies. Salvation Army will give a voucher for emergency dental work. Don't wait. Blessings---gary

Mikeangel2

Gary
Thanks for your reply. Yes, I spent all day yesterday and the day before trying to find some help. I finally found a medical clinic and with the holidays he will need to get an appointment. They advised him to get online to carecredit??Anyway, the receptionist said that he could come in and bring his last 3 check stubs..they would figure out how much he would have to pay.
Do you know how long it would take for an infection to get to the point it could cause major problems???
So far, if I can get him antibiotics, I am not sure how long to get the tooth worked on. Still have not found a dental clinic that will allow payments.
Thanks again for your reply.
Janna

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