sincerely yours,

 Dear Virginia Board of Dentistry,

I have practiced dentistry in Virginia for over 30 years as an Orthodontic specialist.  My father practiced as a general dentist for 30 years in Virginia before me, as has my brother, wife and now soon my son.  We all have witnessed the deterioration of trust our profession has experienced because of the eroding public confidence.   Allowing dentists who have not completed recognized specialty training to advertise as specialists will only further confuse the public.    In the last year, in have had patients seek second opinions in concert with legal action against a general dentist performing comprehensive orthodontic treatment with disastrous results.  All three of them did not know that the dentist was not a specialist.  Please do not legalize this fraud on the public!  

Sincerely yours,

Alfred C  Griffin, Jr  DDS

Warrenton, Virginia