Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-13
vol. LxxxIII.-No. 1e1.
THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 10, 1914.
TRAILING THE DENTAL FRAUD.
JAMES SMITH. JR.
oUNDED MARCH 1. 1889.

Investigations that. according to report, are being
quietly by the New Jersey State Dental As
socation will, in all probability, result in the ex-
posure of fake dentists here and in other places
nearby bring authors of misleading advertisements
up with round turn and safeguard unwary and I'M
informed persons from the nefarious practices of I'M
scrupulous and get-rich-quck frauds.
Reputable dentists those to whom the honor and
dignity of the profession are first considerations and
the comfort and health patients of paramount i'm
portance are as the Evening Star recently pointed
out intensely interested in endeavor to drive the
.'dental pirate" out of business These reputable
dentists are the kind will descend to alluring
advertising schemes setting forth mirace-working
claims and fictitious and false pretences. In plain
honest terms they announce the things they can ac
complish and then deal with their customers with an
honesty consistent with their advertisements
Inquiry is revealing the modus operandi of the
avaricous dentist l is making it clear beyond
question of doubt that not only are credulous GUS
toners relieved of their in return for inferior
and unnecessary work. but their health is seriously
impaired and ofttmes permanent injury is done them
Luxurious offices, hgh-sounding designations gilt
ter and polish fixtures and surroundings, display
of activity and pretended knowledge, frequent mys-
FERROUS conferences full view of the patient, head
noddng and shaking and then apparent concur
renee of opinion, make impression on the Gus
toner
These and kindred tactics deceive the customer
into feeling that the fake dentist must>neeessariy
know his business and thus is easily paved the way
10 the victims pocket and submission to any form
of mouth treatment suggested. 1t is malpractice pure
and simple-fraud clear as fraud can be- Larceny
from the person circumstance to it, and high
way robbery is lesser degree of crime in comparison
Severe as the above arraignment may appear to
be- it represents the language and the expressed
IF cir nd lie dentists who long
established regulations for skill in their profession
and as good business men and citizens Furthermore
the American Dental Journal, in printed article,
lkened the mcney-grabbing dental practitioner to
sinstalment crooks" loan sharks 'bunco-steerers,
mock auction swindlers and confidence men" The
journal further and declared that the fraudulent
dentist should top list of this class of swinders
The harm done the unsuspectng patient, not speak
Ing of the money thrown away is incaculable Bridge
work appears to the fake dentists long suit and it
is no concern of his whether bridge work is the
performance whether matter of fact. it is the
worst form of treatment of a case; the patient is
Impressed and convinced, the operator pockets the
cash and that ends it for short time.
And it is but short time before the patient be-
gins to suffer misery and learns to his sorrow that
he had been duped Nothing but plate work was
suitable to his case The fake dentist of
that at the outset. but there was more money in
bridging for him and he out for cash The
customers health and comfort were not for him to
bother about.
On entering the ''parlors of fake dentist the
customer is shown a bewdering array of plates just
as lot of shoes might be placed before customer in
a shoe store from which fit could be selected. The
outcome will be an excessive charge for plate if
one had to be made specially to order, when, as
matter of fact every plate must be made to conform
TO the individual mouth.
great ado is made over the big and gaudy signs