Ethical obligations when concerned about the work of another dentist

Abstract

Q I received a call from a dentist who has a highly educated patient who gets “routine cleanings” at his office and gets any necessary treatment from another dentist, Dr. X, who calls himself a “holistic dentist.” Dr. X recommended to the patient that she have 2 mandibular anterior teeth, previously treated endodontically, extracted. The teeth were completely asymptomatic and “within normal limits.” Dr. X told the patient that endodontically treated teeth are a nidus of infection because they contain a foreign body, referring to the endodontic filling material. The patient had the teeth removed and is planning further prosthetic replacement. The questioning dentist was a former member of his state dental board. He recognized Dr. X’s name; Dr. X had been investigated in the past and received a censure for doing the same “treatment” as stated above. What are the ethical obligations of the questioning dentist?