A law signed September 19 by New York Gov. David Paterson prohibits corporations and manufacturers from setting quotas on dentists who use the corporation's product or service.
The new law, Chapter 504 of the Laws of 2010, was enacted despite strong lobbying opposition against it, according to the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA).
Members of the association and dentists across the U.S. expressed concerns last year when Align Technology notified its dental providers that they must begin a minimum of 10 Invisalign cases annually in order to participate in the company's program, the NYSDA noted.
According to NYSDA President Robert Doherty, D.D.S., Align withdrew its requirement for provider case quotas in April 2010, but NYSDA continued to press for legislation in New York banning quotas.
"It is our duty to protect patients from corporate interference in the dentist/patient relationship," said Dr. Doherty in a press release. The bill, A.10943/S.7614, was sponsored by Richard Gottfried, chair of the Assembly Health Committee, and Carl Kruger, chair of the Senate Finance Committee.
"Our government affairs team pressed hard in sharing the message that no corporation can determine proficiency requirements for the use of their products, and despite difficult state budget issues, our elected officials made this legislation a priority," said Michael Breault, past president of the NYSDA.
"Only a dentist possesses the knowledge and skill to determine the diagnosis and treatment plan for their patients," said William Calnon, D.D.S., a Rochester dentist representing New York as Second District Trustee to the ADA.
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