Letters: Texas ruling on specialists

March 07, 2016 The ADA should consider itself embarrassed to the nines that certain well-established specialty organizations were obliged to seek recognition outside of the ADA itself and forced to defend same at the bar of justice in the state of Texas ("Texas Court Ruling Allows Non-ADA-Recognized Specialty Dentists to Advertise as 'Specialists,'" Feb. 1 ADA News). The American Academy of Dental Medicine — now Oral Medicine — was founded in 1945. It, as well as the other organizations named in the piece, are proud to host some of the most honored and accomplished scientists and clinicians amongst our ranks.

Yet, after 71 years, the same provincial mindset, which I encountered upon entering dental school 46 years ago, persists in the ADA. Vested interests, not the health and welfare of the general public, have been behind the ADA's intransigence with respect to these issues across the decades. I am pleased as punch with the decision of the Texas courts and pray that same will be upheld by it and by any other jurisdiction in which such litigation may become necessary.