Oral

Approximately 10 million third molars are extracted annually, resulting in injury to more than 15,000 people. Our purpose is present the risks of iatrogenic injury from prophylactic removal of these teeth. The goal is to reduce the incidence of injury by discouraging unnecessary extractions. The first speaker will make a PowerPoint presentation of the false arguments for and the evidence-based arguments against prophylactic extractions and the extent of the public health hazard. The second speaker will discuss the subject from the viewpoint of a dental educator. A third speaker will present the dilemma of the consumer-patient in weighing risks of injury against the recommendations of dentists and oral surgeons for prophylactic extractions.

Session Objectives: 1. To dispel the myths perpetrated by most oral surgeons and many general dentists in support of prophylactic third molar extractions. 2. To inform public health professionals and clinical practitioners of the risks so they may make evidence-based judgments, decisions, policies and recommendations. 3. To encourage governmental and commercial health insurance administrators to implement policies that pay only for necessary wisdom tooth extractions.