Just ask Alexa ….
In no other time since the advent of radiographs, vaccines
or perhaps antibiotics has medicine been in such a transition. As a dental specialist, I see the changes
(some good, many bad) in my own field of Orthodontics we now see poorly trained
(or not at all) dentists attempting to provide care equal to specialists with
thousands of hours and years of experience guided by research and governing
boards of continued education; we see companies marketing to and attempting to
diagnose and treat patients directly just waiting to cut the doctor completely
out (and already doing so online). And don’t
get me wrong, I think people go to their doctors to often for colds and bugs
that will simply pass. But there is a
real risk to not seeing a doctor when you really need one. Many serious diseases and infections can seem
minor to the untrained eye and ear but are immediately identifiable to an
experienced and well trained doctor. Patients
cannot trust the law of averages programmed into aps. Certainly MOST of the time it is a cold or a
sore muscle or even just a fainting spell or dizziness from over-working
yourself. But it is those less likely
scenarios that lead to more severe problems and even death. In short, doctors have a hard time catching
the 5% if we don’t see a percentage of the “normal” patients. In fact, in my opinion there are several potential
problems we can predict from online “doctor aps”.
First, doctors learn trends of certain viruses and bugs
going around by the patients they may see; they know when there is an
abnormally high number of certain diseases or infections before the public and
they can dispense more specific and preventative care accordingly; family physicians
need to have a connection with the public to be able to treat patients better.
Second, doctors can judge the severity of infections and
injuries not only through individual examination but also by comparing with
previous experience looking at many other patients that maybe weren’t as
serious or had a condition that mimics a more severe condition. Without this repetitive experience, doctors
could jump to conclusions without sufficient experience or they may not know to
err toward more testing; not based on the text book, but maybe based on a
previous patient and their outcome.
Third, doctors follow patients as they get better; they keep
medical records on each patient so they know how that specific patient’s
condition and health is versus the averages for their age, etc., etc. They know what other siblings and what the
parents may have had in the past; tendencies based on specific familial traits
and diets. Good doctors know not only
that a patient is showing subtle signs of something but he or she may know the
patient has a genetic predisposition for a disease based on parents and even
grandparents. For example this can lead
to early cancer identification and can cause the Doctor to lean one way or
another on treatment or to give better guidance on diet and lifestyle.
In short, medicine, like dentistry and certainly Orthodontics,
is part science, part experience and part art.
Patients that trust online advice from an ap on a cell phone or digital base
station are risking their very wellbeing and the health of their family by
bypassing true medical advice and examination by experienced professionals that
keep current on trends and treatments.
Just like GPS navigation devices that seem to work great
until there is a quick junction, a closed street for repairs or some
unpredictable traffic (and you end up going the wrong direction on a one way
road, diverted due to construction or at the wrong location with a similar name),
online “digital doctors” will only miss when it really counts. After all, isn’t this why we go to Doctors in
the first place? You can bet these
online sources will take no responsibility, financial or otherwise, when you
end up with a severe disease or disability form poor advice.
This relates to Orthodontics as well as there is a drive by
companies producing clear aligners to market directly to the public through
television, magazine and radio ads pushing esthetics with no mention or care of
function, no proof of claims; it is an unequivocal effort to water down the
true results you should expect from Orthodontic treatment and to equate
themselves with braces which is a completely untrue. If we are to believe aligner trays can do
anything and everything these companies claim, then of course I could retire
and just set up kiosks in the mall. But
like all things in life; what sounds too good to be true ……
If you have questions or comments concerning this or any
orthodontic question, please feel free to make a complimentary new-patient
appointment at either my Steiner Ranch location or my North-central Austin
location on West 35th street and MoPac.
Dr. James R. Waters is
a 1996 graduate from UTHSC Dental School in San Antonio, 1997 graduate of
Advanced Dentistry from the UNMC in Nebraska and the 2001 Valedictorian
graduate from the prestigious Saint Louis University Orthodontic Program
receiving the J.P. Marshall award for clinical excellence in 2001. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science,
Doctorate in Dental Surgery, a post-doctorate certificate in Advanced
Dentistry, post-doctorate Degree in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
and a Master of Science Degree in Orthodontics and is a Diplomate of the
American Board of Orthodontics. Dr.
Waters and his wife of 20 years live in Austin, TX with their 4 children where
he has a thriving, multi-faceted Specialist practice with locations in Steiner
Ranch and North-Central Austin. You can
learn more about Dr. Waters at BracesAustin.com.
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