I encourage you to submit emails, phone calls, and /or letters to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).
Here is an convenient email list containing emails of the current AAOMS officers and trustees in which you can your message to
iradc@aol.com, drljmoore@aol.com, ajeeone@aol.com, eslade@comcast.net, rlynnwhite@austin.rr.com, brinaldi@aaoms.org, snelson@rmoms.com, lawrencebusino@gmail.com, lkrafetto@gmail.com, etgoms@comcast.net, wnelson@baycare.net, mapavelka@msn.com, windellh@gmail.com, ejohnson@aaoms.org
Here is the message I recently sent to them.
By promoting the idea of removing healthy impacted wisdom teeth the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are not living up to their mission statement, are being unethical, irresponsible, and contributing to the public health hazard that is facing many Americans.
Each year thousands of Americans are left with permanent disability as a result of elective oral surgery to remove their wisdom teeth. This practice is not justified by any scientific evidence and is a tragedy that is continuing in America.
The British National Institute for Clinical Excellence has recommended that:
- Impacted wisdom teeth that are free from disease (healthy) should not be operated on. There are two reasons for this:
- There is no reliable research to suggest that this practice benefits patients
- Patients who do have healthy wisdom teeth removed are being exposed to the risks of surgery. These can include, nerve damage, damage to other teeth, infection, bleeding, and, rarely, death. Also, after surgery to remove wisdom teeth, patients may have swelling, pain and be unable to open their mouth fully.
- Patients who have impacted wisdom teeth that are not causing problems should visit their dentist for their usual check-ups.
- Only patients who have diseased wisdom teeth, or other problems with their mouth, should have their wisdom teeth removed. Your dentist or oral surgeon will be aware of the sort of disease or condition which would require you to have surgery. Examples include untreatable tooth decay, abscesses, cysts or tumours, disease of the tissues around the tooth or where the tooth is in the way of other surgery.
The American Public Health Association
1. Recommends that public education about the removal of third molars (wisdom teeth), like the removal of any teeth, should be based on evidence of diagnosed pathology or demonstrable need;
2. Opposes prophylactic removal of third molars, which subjects individuals and society to unnecessary costs, avoidable morbidity, and the risks of permanent injury;
3. Recommends that the Agency for Healthcare Research Quality and the National Institutes of Health, agencies of the US Department of Health and Human Services, and other independent researchers call for convening an expert panel that considers evidence-based research on the effectiveness and appropriateness of prophylactic removal of third molars and generates a consensus statement;
4. Recommends that oral health researchers and funding agencies include in their research agendas support for the application of evidence-based dental practice, to include issues such as the prophylactic extraction of third molars and how to most effectively translate evidence-based science into the practice of dentistry;
5. Urges all public health agencies and dental professional organizations to disseminate information explaining why prophylactic removal of third molars is not recommended, in keeping with their dedication to improving the health literacy of the public and its consequent ability to make informed health care decisions.
Each year thousands of Americans are left with permanent disability as a result of elective oral surgery to remove their wisdom teeth. This practice is not justified by any scientific evidence and is a tragedy that is continuing in America.
I encourage you to review http://www.teethremoval.com/complications.html to learn about the numerous complications patients experience with removing wisdom teeth. In addition I encourage you to read my story http://www.teethremoval.com/ and numerous stories shared by others http://www.teethremoval.com/yourstory.html
I am hopeful you will make the appropriate recommendations regarding third molar extraction in the United States using evidence based medicine and follow in the footsteps of those organizations already to have done so.
Below you will find the full information of the 2009-2010 officers of treasures of AAOMS including email, phone, and address. Use as you see appropriate.