Dental Clinic Ethic

A large proportion of patients had health insurance plans. Although some insurance plans provided full dental coverage, most plans covered at least a portion of the treatment cost, requiring the patoents to pay the reminder. Generally, most practices would allow insurance companies time to pay,but the patients were required to make payment immediately, and the Chang Dental clinic was no different.

The prices charged for various treatments were relatively standard among different dentist. This was due to the fact the ontario association (ODA) put out a fee guide indicating the recommended price to charge for all ptential procedures. Although adherence to this fee guide was not regulated, the industry used it a a guideline, and most dentists followed it fairly closely. Currently, Chang followed the ODA fee guide closely, and Miller expected to do the same.

The recommended prices were reviewed by the ODA on an annual basis and adjusted as necessary.

The number of dentists practising was not specificially regulated either, although the limited number of positions in Dental School Programs in Ontario did serve to limit the number of practising dentist. Despite this fact, there was no shortage of dentist in Ontario.

In fact, in most communities, dentists readily accepted new patients so most people were able to find a dentist could located a practice, the industry tended to be self-regulated in this regard. Generally, if an area was already being fully serviced, a new practice would not open. A practice would open in a particular area only if there was a clear need for another dentist.