Something about China
In a few weeks, the eyes of the world will finally turn to China as Beijing hosts the 2008 Olympic Games. While the organisers together with the Chinese government are trying to present the country as a perfect host, certain issues have been raised that will cast a shadow over the games: one of them is the country’s human rights situation and the other the autonomy of Tibet.
Apart from this, two major subjects in dentistry have also found its way into the headlines. While the appearance of counterfeit dental products such as fake Chinese toothpaste caused only minor concern, the other has to be taken more seriously. Dental work contaminated with lead and made in China was recently discovered in the United States.
Though these appear to be single cases, the issue is far from being over. With a number of 8,000 dental labs in the country and only 100 dealing with overseas clients (see also the interview with Chinese lab consultant Ma Yun Xiu in Dental Tribune Asia Pacific, 6(2008):11), China is still away from having reached its full potential in the worldwide denture market. Rising economic pressure in western markets also make a steady flow from dental work “Made in China” most likely in the years to come. In Europe, e.g., the import from China has more than doubled in the last three years.
The responsibility to guide this development will be in the hands of every single dentist. China will continue to penetrate the worldwide market with low-cost products and it might be tempting for dentists who are under economic pressure to save some money. But patients also want a safe product and they trust their dentist to give it to them. If dentists follow the calls of the market, they will certainly start to loose that trust.
