Dr. Jeff Mathews, a Tennessee-based dentist and practice owner, is urging the dental industry to adopt a clearer and more consistent best-practice standard—one centered on thorough diagnosis, documented treatment planning and greater transparency with patients before care begins.
Mathews, who leads Goodlettsville Family Dental in Goodlettsville, said the proposed approach is designed to slow the diagnostic process, encourage the routine use of modern imaging tools and ensure patients understand the long-term implications of treatment decisions. The objective, he said, is to strengthen trust, improve clinical outcomes and reduce preventable harm.
“Dentistry rewards preparation,” Mathews has said in previous discussions about practice building and long-term care. In his view, success is not defined by how a case looks at delivery, but by how well it functions years later. “A successful case is one that still holds up over time,” he has said, adding that treatments that fail to improve long-term oral health should not be included in a patient’s plan.
Mathews’ position is shaped by his advanced training in full mouth rehabilitation and aesthetic dentistry, as well as his experience operating a modern dental practice where long-term planning informs day-to-day clinical decisions. He argues that many of the profession’s most persistent problems stem from rushed diagnoses and incomplete treatment planning.
Data from industry studies and insurance reports support those concerns. Research estimates that as much as 30 percent of restorative dental work fails prematurely due to inadequate diagnosis or planning. Re-treatment accounts for roughly one-fifth of total dental spending in the United States, while poorly planned cosmetic procedures can increase the risk of bite dysfunction, tooth fractures and chronic pain. When outcomes fall short of expectations, patient trust often declines, leading to lower follow-up care and worse long-term health.
Mathews believes these issues are largely avoidable with consistent standards applied across practices.
Under his proposed best-practice model, patients would routinely receive comprehensive diagnostic imaging when clinically appropriate, along with a clearly documented treatment plan that considers function, aesthetics and long-term stability. Dentists would be expected to explain risks, alternatives and treatment sequencing before work begins, with an emphasis on durability rather than quick cosmetic fixes.
To help practices move quickly, Mathews has outlined a 30-day implementation framework. The plan includes auditing existing diagnostic workflows, standardizing the use of digital X-rays and intraoral imaging, creating written treatment planning templates focused on long-term outcomes, and training staff to communicate plans clearly and consistently. Practices are also encouraged to document alternatives and risks for major procedures, build in time for case review, and track re-treatment rates and patient follow-up outcomes.
Patients, Mathews added, can also play a role by asking basic questions before agreeing to care: whether a full diagnosis was completed, whether long-term effects were explained, whether alternatives were discussed and whether the treatment plan is clearly documented.
According to Mathews, improving quality and trust in dentistry does not require new regulations or costly programs. “It requires discipline, transparency and a commitment to outcomes that last,” he said.
Mathews is encouraging clinicians, practices and patients alike to adopt the standard and share it with colleagues, with the aim of raising expectations for care across the profession.
Dr. Jeff Mathews, DDS, is the owner of Goodlettsville Family Dental in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. His practice focuses on comprehensive diagnosis, long-term oral health and aesthetic dentistry. His professional background includes advanced training in full mouth rehabilitation and facial esthetics, as well as experience as a real estate investor and licensed realtor.
