Should the federal trade commission allow dentistry to require its members to adhere to a high standard in advertising?

The California Dental Association (CDA) has been engaged in a dispute with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for over ten years. At issue is whether CDA's advertising restrictions have the effect of prohibiting truthful and nondeceptive advertisements and whether this constitutes a violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act. The case is now before the Commissioners of the FTC; they must decide whether their staff or CDA is correct in interpreting the law. This paper reviews the basics of antitrust law, the facts in the record, and how the Commissioners might resolve some of the questions presented by this case.