The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners had been requiring that only licensed dentists be allowed to sell teeth-whitening services. The board brought legal action against hair salons and spas that also offered these services, arguing that only licensed dentists had the training to ensure that consumers weren't injured in the teeth-whitening process. In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a federal government agency had the authority to stop the board from preventing non-dentists from offering teeth-whitening services. According to a news report, the federal agency argued that "the dental board was motivated by financial self-interest, not health concerns."
a. Predict the effect of the Supreme Court ruling on the price and quantity of teeth-whitening services offered in North Carolina.
b. Can we be sure that the result of the decision will be to increase the well-being of consumers of teeth-whitening services in the state? Briefly explain.