November 6,
2006
Dear Patron and/or Patient,
Thank you for the years of
business I was blessed with while serving your denture and/or partial
needs. The Wyoming Dental Board filed an injunction in September ’05
against my practice on the grounds that I was practicing dentistry
without a license. It was signed by the Honorable Judge Cranfill October
25, 2006. My attorney, Keith Goody of Alpine, Wyoming, is appealing the
ruling on the grounds that I don’t practice dentistry. Mr. Goody is
taking it to the Wyoming State Supreme Court.
The Wyoming State Denturist association,
www.wysda.org, along with attorney Gay Woodhouse and Associates of
Cheyenne have worked to bring passage of the “Wyoming Denturist Act” an
initiative also known as the Freedom of Choice in Denture Care act, for
a Wyoming voter’s signature drive to place it on the 2008 general
election ballot. This initiative gives Wyoming the same freedom of
choice Montana, Idaho, and five other states have to meet their denture
care needs; The choice of going to a dentist or to a denturist who is
educated and licensed to make, place, and sell dentures directly to the
public at an affordable price.
Most denturists offer free
consultations and don’t charge for adjustments. Denturists are educated
to recognize healthy tissue and offer referral services to a dentist or
doctor if there is any visible pathology. I personally have graduated
from two accredited denturist college programs, and a third, 2 year
accredited degree in dental lab technology. I also served four years in
the navy as a dental technician and Vietnam vet.
During a petition drive or legislative bill
presentation to license and regulate denturists some dentists will
attempt to confuse consumers and legislators with health scares, job
loss, tax increases, lack of education, and poor craftsmanship are some
of the tactics used in other states. This initiative is about
Freedom of Choice. It’s the American way.
Most denturists have more education and
experience in denture technology than most dentists. Some dental schools
for dentist have dropped or have put little emphasis on denture
technology programs, due to budget cuts or just lack of interest. Most
dentists would rather use chair time in restorative and cosmetic
dentistry. Denture patients need time to be educated and walked through
the denture process and at times adjustments are needed weekly. My
services as a denturist have included this and I’m asking you to write,
call, email, and/or visit your legislators to encourage their support
for legislation to license and regulate denturist in Wyoming so that I
can reopen my office. I’m hoping representative Lorraine Quarberg will
take the leadership role again this session to sponsor a denturist bill
as she did last year. Senator Scott says he will co-sponsor a denturist
bill if someone will sponsor it.
Representative Quarberg
will make her decision sometime mid November. Please contact her and the
other legislators to share your denturist experience and or support for
my profession.
I look forward to the
opportunity to continue to serve the Big Horn Basin and surrounding
areas to provide quality and affordable denture care as I have since
1992. Thank you for your support.
Please contact me if you
can volunteer to help organize a signature drive or collect signatures
for the “Wyoming Denturist Act” and The Wyoming Coalition for Freedom of
Choice in Denture Care.
In His Service
Gary W. Vollan, Licensed Denturist
PO Box 332
Basin, Wyoming 82410
307-568-2047
vollan@tctwest.net
www.wysda.org
Personal Legal Fee Contributions:
Please mail to:
W. Keith Goody, Attorney at Law
PO Box 3690
138 Kara Street
Alpine, Wyoming 83128
