No need for dentists

[bad_hombre]

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Hey guys,

I found this link posted on another forum, with the poster saying that new advancements in the area of oral flora will drastically reduce the need for dentists. Here is the link:

<a href="http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99991941" target="_blank">http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99991941</a>

 

[bad_hombre]

So are our career aspirations now worth $#@! ? <img border="0" alt="[Wowie]" title="" src="graemlins/wowie.gif" />

 

[cusp of carabelli]

i doubt even this would eliminate all tooth decay...no remedy is 100% for everybody and who else would tret those whom this new bacteria doesn't work for. Also who would help people with braces, get their teeth whitened, do forensic dentistry for homicides, help a person who bit into a bone and chiped their tooth, etc etc etc....there are innumberable fields within dentistry so i wouldn't worry about chasing a "doomed" career if i were you...
-andy

 

[Yah-E]

The need for dentists will never end! I talk to a lot of current practicing dentists and dental school professors about this vaccine/mouth wash/spray/drugs/s. mutan inhibitor technology, all they say is "remember the flouride hype back in the 80s?" I personally think it's great that new technology is coming out for prevention, but I also strongly believe that the need for a dentist will always be there!

Think of the following:

1) Aesthetic dentistry will always be in demand if not increase as we approach into the future, just because you have no caries that doesn't mean that you don't want your teeth straighter or whiter?!

2) These new vaccine/spray/drugs will need a prescription from dentist or doctors to prescribe, so patients will continue to come see you anyways!

3) Compliance issue! Not all consumer for these new technological products will use them all the time or as specified and as result, they will visit your office again!

4) Prevention step can only aim for the future! Currently there are so many patients out there with dental diseases and problems! I doubt that we as future dental physician will ever run out of patients, at least in our working career!

5) Cost factor! These new technological discovery to prevent decay will not come cheap, I'd assume. Again, just like any other treatment plan, this new technology will just be another option we can offer to our patients at a pricy tag.

New technology is always fascinating and it will alway have an impact on how we currently practice dentistry. I strongly believe that with this new hype of s. mutan prevention will only increase the demand for dentists and dental awareness in our societies and communities! No fear for me, I'm only pumped!!

😎

 

[EyeCandy]

Guys,
I hope that all of you remember the brilliantidea of providing grocery delivery via the internet and how it was going to eliminate actual shopping at a grocery store. We all know how that turned out.

 

[DrJeff]

Have no fear, dentistry will be around for a long time to come. First off, you're assuming that there will be 100% compliance with this multiple time per year "vaccination". How many folks actually finish a prescription thats given to them, not alot! <img border="0" alt="[Wowie]" title="" src="graemlins/wowie.gif" /> Now, the huge factor, will insurance companies cover the vaccine, because if they don't, alot of folks won't take it. Here is insurance company rationale as to will they or won't they cover, what will the cost of the vaccine be per year patient verses what will the cost of a restoration or 2. I'll almost guarentee that when they look at all their insured folks and figure the average of how much restorative work they'd pay out per year that it will be less than the cost of vaccinating their members. Therefore, the insurance companies will be SLOW to get onboard, and thus alot of folks won't pay for it out of their pockets.

Now, even if the vaccine does get insurance approval, there are currently just in the US, BILLIONS of existing restorations that will need to be replaced at some point There are also the folks that only come into the office every few years when they have something that bothers them (can you say root canal, build up and crown $$$) Then there will undoubtedly be the folks that think that the vaccine is harmful and won't take it (see the anti flouridation folks about this one) This doesn't even get into the already mentioned restorative/cosmetic needs, perio treatments, ortho treatment, etc, etc, etc. Rest assured, dentistry will continue to thrive long past the time that anyone who is even considering entering school now has retired from practice 😀

 

[bad_hombre]

phew, i was worried for a moment. thanks for the reassurance guys, especially dr. jeff

 

[quantumhead]

I hope this thing does work! It would be great! Even if it effected business, just think of all the kids who could be helped with this. In the first year of Dental school you would go an inoculate kids mouths instead of sealing teeth. Like Dr. Jeff said, there will still be demand for Dentists. If this does work I will be one of the first to use it!!