Alrighty, I am going to start this blog up...again. Let me tell you doing this blogging thing is not as easy as it looks. Today's topic is the New York Times article "Rethinking the Twice-Yearly Dentist Visit".
I am amazed at the confusion caused by the routine things in dentistry. The article (paraphrased) says that a cookie cutter approach to treating patients might not be the best way to care for a patient. The reaction to this article ranges from "wow, I knew the dentist was ripping me off" to "Isn't science great and what will they discover next".
First off, the origin of the twice a year cleaning is murky. It either come from "Amos and Andy in the middle of the last century" or a toothpaste jingle ,where you need to use this toothpaste and see your dentist twice a year. It doesn't really matter where it comes from. What matters is that a one size fits all is a terrible way to treat a patient. I don't know when it happened, the patient devolved from being an individual with needs, quirks,and desires to being a widget that is plugged into a one size fits all regimen. Then out comes amazing new information! The patient is a person!
The time between cleanings should be based on the patients needs and desires. I have some patients that I see once every three years. Why should I see them more often? They don't need to have a cleaning and are not prone to getting cavities. I am sure they have better things to do than going to the dentist. I have other patients I see every three months. Why? Because they need to.
So, is the dentist ripping you off? No, how often you get a cleaning should be decided between you and you're dentist. Wow, mind blowing. What will they think of next?
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