Medical Doctors have Limited Knowledge of Dental Care

Medical Doctors have Limited Knowledge of Dental Care

Unless medical doctors have a dual degree which includes an MD, plus either a DDS or DMD, or are an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist, they likely have limited knowledge of dental care.  Since the trend now is for many patients, especially the disadvantage ones, to seek dental care for pain or infection from the emergency room of the hospital where they are seen by the physician.  They are often treated for pain and infection which is only a temporary relief for the problem.  In most cases, the problem will recur and the patient again returns to the emergency room.

It is imperative that the medical and dental professions seek a better solution to this perpetuating problem. The patient usually does not receive a permanent type solution to the cause of their problem.  In most cases, one of more of the following treatments are necessary:  extraction, drainage of infection, root canal, or a medicated temporary filling, etc.  Antibiotics and analgesics are only temporary solutions to the problem.  This temporary treatment truly invites the patient to come back to the over-loaded and usually under-staffed hospital emergency room.  There is nowhere in that process that includes preventive dentistry which is what eventually should be achieved

Today’s Dentist

Life Member of American Dental Association, Emeritus Fellow of Academy of General Dentistry, American Association of Implant Dentists