FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released comments on proposed legislation in Kentucky that would license and regulate denturists.
Denturists can provide consumers with removable partial and full dentures. As it stands prior to this legislation, only dentists can provide dentures.
Staff from the FTC’s Office of Policy Planning, Bureau of Competition and Bureau of Economics believes the legislation could enhance competition and benefit consumers.
“Competition among oral health care professionals has the potential to benefit consumers by improving access to care, containing costs, and encouraging the development of more effective care delivery models,” the comment states. “If denturists can provide safe, quality care to patients, allowing them to practice at a level commensurate with their training may bring benefits to Kentuckians in the form of increased access to care, more choice in how their care is delivered, and more cost-effective treatment. Because these benefits of competition could be significant to Kentuckians who need dentures, we encourage the legislature to carefully consider whether denturists can appropriately provide dentures, consistent with patient health and safety.”
The FTC voted 4-0 to approve the issuance of the staff comment.