As a third year resident in the VCU Department of Graduate Periodontics I can attest to the countless hours I have spent so far, and will continue to spend indefinitely, in reading the literature, treatment planning complex cases, putting together case presentations, preparing for literature and mock board exams, attending educational meetings, and transferring my knowledge to dental students in clinic and the classroom.  All of these hours are spent under the careful direction of many full-time and part-time faculty who are well known experts in the field. The residency is three years and the volume of information we take in on the subjects of periodontics, medicine, sedation, and implant dentistry is incredible.  Not only do we learn about current research and treatment techniques, but we also spend a considerable amount of time learning the classic treatment modalities that give us an understanding of treatment planning and clinical therapy that is unmatched by any providers that have not undergone this type of training. This is all in addition to completing a research project to fulfill the requirements for a Master’s degree to further progress our field and gain an even greater understanding of future treatment modalities to improve patient outcomes.

The elimination of specialty recognition would allow many who have not been through the training, literature review, and research of residency to allude to the public that they have had similar experience. This would be a direct violation of our ethical requirement to “do no harm.” I am strongly opposed to this legislation; our patients will suffer!