In the good old days, it was hard to access accurate information. You had to go to the library to pick up a journal and know how to use the index system to retrieve the information that would provide the data you were looking for.
The journal might not be available because the library did not subscribe or because it was in use by someone else who had retrieved it, and you needed to wait until it was returned. If you needed multiple articles, you would need to spend an entire evening at the library. Today you can read and download almost any article from the comfort of your home, save it, and print it for use at your convenience.
Today we have a different problem. Access to information is available to all. The problem is not access to information, but critical evaluation of the information. First of all, is the article or YouTube video legitimate? Who is the author and what are their credentials? Was the article or experiment valid? Was the experiment done properly and are proper conclusions reached? Many lay people use the authority of journal or publication without any thought or investigation. For instance, an article in the JCDA or JADA seems legitimate, just by being published in a renowned journal. But what if the information is based on a poorly designed study? It may be poorly designed in several ways such as having too few participants to make the study relevant. Thus, access to information is easy, but evaluation of the information is difficult. You should use critical thinking trained on the subject. A lay person can reach false conclusions. Even professionals who do not scrutinize adequately may be led astray.
Trust in media and authorities is prevalent.
In today’s dental world, evaluation of information is paramount. In all scams and misinformation, there is a kernel of truth that gets the reader’s attention. There are numerous miracle cures that can be harmful if followed. In the field of dentistry, I have seen misinformation of treatment required, dangers of fluoride, dangers of x-rays, dangers of amalgam fillings, and so on, on YouTube and on the web.
Thus, you must be a teacher and communicator to help debunk misleading information by explaining how things work and answering the patient’s personal questions as related to the information. If you do not know the answer, direct them to someone more knowledgeable on the subject. It is incumbent on you to go over the pros and cons of proper information, like regular check-ups, periodic radiographs, and the use of fluoride treatments.
You must impart the downside of misinformation, tailoring the information and treatment to the specific needs of your patients. Thus, you are a communicator, teacher, coach, as well as a practitioner. This will help build up trust in your approach to treatment. Proper communication is one half the battle, implementation is the other half. You will need to build a good team because you will not always have the answers. Talk to other dentists you know or get information from other dental specialists in their field. Keeping up with new trends and information is a given.
You are not only informing and treating patients but building a long-term relationship. Prevention is not a goal, but a journey, and you need to be a trusted leader.
About the author:
Dr. Jack Maltz is a Pediatric Dentist providing dental care to children in Brampton for over 40 years. Dr. Maltz is the former head of the OSPD and Head of the Brampton Civic Hospital Department of Dentistry.
