What do Non-Dental Teeth Whitening, Legalzoom, and Uber have in common?
The last decade has ushered in exponential growth in many businesses like non-dental teeth whitening. They have introduced the public to new approaches and opportunities that technology has made available.
LegalZoom, for example, is a business that resonated profoundly with a public that was tired of being separated from opportunity simply because there were no affordable options. Today, it has found its way into the home of every businessperson wanting to branch out with a new idea. So also was the case with Tesla, Uber, and non-dental teeth whitening.
The phenomenon of creating new paths to opportunity is the anchoring standard of technology. However, in areas that are controlled by state licensing agencies, business evolution that benefits the consumer—rather than the participants—are never welcome.
The pioneers who harness technology, operate on the fine line of technology and the state licensing in their area. They drive forward with new innovative designs that create low cost, affordable options for consumers. This is the hallmark of a free market and spurs competition under most circumstances.
However, such businesses often pay grievously for their vision.
Teeth Whitening banned in North Carolina
In the case of Legalzoom, the state of North Carolina contended that allowing people access to self-help with regards to legal forms could only be construed as “the unauthorized practice of law.”
North Carolina took a similar stance trying to regulate teeth whitening, recently buckling under the power of The United States Supreme Court ruling that put an end to the teeth whitening debate for every state.
The Supreme Court ruled that state licensing boards, comprised primarily of market participants, do not have automatic immunity from antitrust laws.
North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners v. Federal Trade Commission dealt a setback to what has become an increasingly common form of attempts by state licensing boards to regulate trade that competes with their participants.
The birth of today’s non-dental teeth whitening serves as the best example to illustrate the path of consumer demand and the intersection of state licensing.
While popularity for teeth whitening gained momentum in the 1990s, the cost for dental teeth whitening was prohibitive. Dentists charged upwards of $400.00 for teeth whitening, and the process itself was extreme.
Sitting in a dental chair, under harsh lightening with a solution so strong it had to be monitored, its understandable how dentists may have viewed these measures as needing the skill of a licensed dentist to oversee the results.
Dentists didn’t understand
However, what dentists failed to take into account was that not everyone needed, or wanted, such extreme teeth whitening measures. Not content with the status quo, kiosks and individual businesses developed lower cost, less invasive alternatives to the dentist office.
As a result, the expanding market demanded options. The dentists, in conjunction with the North Carolina Dental Board, worked to scrupulously destroy all options but the dentist. Attempting to put non-dental teeth whitening out of business, the North Carolina Dental Board illegally thwarted teeth whitening options. Consequently, this lead to higher prices in dental teeth whitening and reduced choices for consumers.
In cease and desist orders that forced small businesses to close their doors and stop offering non-dental teeth whitening, the North Carolina Dental Board effectively worked to gain exclusive rights to teeth whitening for their local dentists.
Retrospectively, some of the arguments seem ridiculous. An expert for The North Carolina Dental Board, Dr. Haywood referred to businesses that offer non-dental teeth whitening as “charlatans,” “quacks,” and “thieves,” comparing the process to “assisted suicide.”
It’s quite clear that dentists wanted to believe non-dental teeth whitening inherently dangerous, requiring the care of a licensed dentist.
Millions of people with whiter smiles and larger bank accounts have proved that false. Dr. Haywood’s unsupported positions no longer bear the same weight. As a result, non-dental teeth whitening is as common as dental floss, and no one is the worse for it.
Far from being inherently dangerous to the public, Legalzoom, teeth whitening, Uber, Tesla, and Press On Veneers emerge as pioneers on the side of a public that has had its patience exhausted by having their options challenged and limited by self-interested state licensing boards.
Technology will continue to push options like non-dental teeth whitening
In conclusion, no matter what the future holds, technology is changing the options available. The benefits to the consumer will only increase. It’s worth noting the rules are evolving where self-help and the rights of consumers are concerned. Far too many people possess limited time and resources to cave to the pressure of outdated methods of doing business. State boards continue to force these practices on a savvy population. Citizens who can just as easily find an answer without their help and with no ill effects whatsoever.
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