Todays Dentist

Everything You Want to Know About Dentistry

  • General Dentistry
    • Crowns
    • Root Canals
    • Decay
    • Stainless Steel Crowns
    • Laughing Gas
    • Tongue Tie
    • Wisdom Teeth
    • Dental Injections
    • Dental Sealants
    • TMJ Syndrome
    • First Dental Visit
    • Dry Socket
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Dental Amalgam
    • Esthetic Dentistry
    • Braces
    • Dental Implants
    • Congenitally Missing Teeth
    • Dental Veneers
  • Preventive Dentistry
    • Dental Sealants
    • Dental Hygienists
      • Teeth Cleaning
    • X-Rays
    • Reduce Decay
    • Dentrifice
    • Fluoride
    • Halitosis
    • Tooth Ache
    • Floss
  • Teeth whitening
    • Teeth whitening
    • Electric Toothbrush
    • Dentrifice
    • Decay
    • Dental Veneers
    • Dental Specialties
  • Glossary
  • Tips & Resources
    • History Of Dentistry Infographic
    • Tooth Brush Abrasion
    • Pregnancy
    • Bruxism
    • Toothbrushes
    • Fever Blister
    • Snoring
    • Dental Insurance
    • Canker Sores
    • Toothpaste
    • Dentrifice
    • TMJ Syndrome
    • Dental Specialties
    • First Dental Visit

Medical Doctors have Limited Knowledge of Dental Care

March 10, 2019 By Todays Dentist 4 Comments

Medical Doctors have Limited Knowledge of Dental Care

Medical Doctors have Limited Knowledge of Dental Care

Medical Doctors and Dental CareUnless 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 disadvantaged 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. This cyclical treatment for only temporary relief will not solve the dental problem. The patient should be referred to the dentist.

With aging, most physicians think that tooth loss is normal. It is not! It just might be a symptom of an existing medical condition. Women who are in the 50 and above age categories who also loose teeth are in roughly a 20% higher bracket for developing high blood pressure than those women of the same age who lose no teeth. This is a significant fact! Since women above age 55 with loss of some teeth are more apt to have high blood pressure, more dental health needs to be included for prevention.

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 treatment 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.

Everyone, especially postmenopausal women, should visit their dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning and check-up, with periodic x-rays. This action alone will reduce the risk of long-standing tooth decay which often leads to tooth loss. The reduction in the intake of sugar and daily brushing and flossing are mandatory. Treatment of existing problems followed by the introduction of preventive dentistry lessens the need for a dental patient to go to the already over-crowded emergency room.

Today’s Dentist

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

Email, RSS Follow

Related

About Todays Dentist

Expansive General Dentistry practice of forty plus years and want to give back to the public the knowledge of the dental profession which has been so good to me.

Comments

  1. Kevin Powell says

    March 27, 2019 at 10:48 PM

    This is great! having a good trusted dentist around is always been a reassuring feeling specially during emergency, Im currently living in Honolulu with my two kids and my wife and we have a trusted Honolulu Dentist from Bright Smiles Honolulu.

    Reply
    • Todays Dentist says

      April 5, 2019 at 10:28 AM

      I will always provide the best information I have. Thank you for your kind comments.

      Reply
  2. Brian Williams says

    June 25, 2019 at 4:18 PM

    I had an experience where I could not find a dentist available on a Friday and was forced to go to the ER because of severe pain. And I agree that most doctors do not share the same knowledge as a dentist. In fact I have friends that are both doctors and dentists. I am happy though that we have a good dentist now in Port St. Lucie, FL.
    On another note, imagine what it would be like if doctors had the same expenses as your average dentist? A dentist needs to set up an office, operatories, x-ray, staffing and a host of other expenditures. Kudos to your family dentist!

    Reply
    • Todays Dentist says

      June 25, 2019 at 7:14 PM

      In many cities, and more will be added, there is a dentist on call. It usually rotates every 24 hours. Simply call the ER and they will give you the name of that dentist. More than likely he will then see you in his office as most hospital ER’s are mot adequately equipped with the instruments needed for dentistry. The reason I say there will be more and more is that this process suits both the dentist, the ER, and the patient quite well.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe For Updates

Loading

Random Glossary Term

  • Merkel Cell Carcinoma

    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 […]

Today’s Dentist First Patient – Humorous

Latest Dental Posts

  • ADA Recommendations for Dental Office vs COVID-19
  • Hydroxochloroquine vs. Intubation, and its Efficacy Treating COVID-19
  • Corona Virus–Dental Office
  • Coronavirus Update 3/20/2020
  • Coronavirus—More

RSS Latest dental news

  • Why is Oral Health Important for Men?
  • Men: Looking for a Better Job? Start by Visiting the Dentist
  • What is Orofacial Pain?
  • Headaches and Jaw Pain? Check Your Posture!
  • The History of Dental Advances

Tips and Resources

Thumb Sucking, Even Adults? Oh My!

ADA Recommendations for Dental Office vs COVID-19

Hydroxochloroquine vs. Intubation, and its Efficacy Treating COVID-19

Corona Virus–Dental Office

Coronavirus Update 3/20/2020

Coronavirus—More

Coronavirus Update—How to Properly Wash Your Hands

Thumb Sucking, Even Adults? Oh My!

Coronaovirus (COVID-19)

Coronovirus Update 3/12/2020

Coronavirus Questions

Coronavirus

The 8 Best Whitening Strips To Help You Achieve A Winning Smile

Dental Tools Your Oral Professional May Use on You

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Subscribe For Updates

Loading

Copyright © 2021 TodaysDentist.org

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Site Map · Contact Us

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more.