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I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

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Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#561

Post by sarchertech »

baby wrote: post #544
sarchertech wrote: post #542

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You think there is conspiracy at the ADA level to push a free fake treatment as a way to convince patients to pay for other expensive fake treatments? And this conspiracy has infiltrated not only the ADA and every dental schools but dental hygienist schools and dental agencies all over the world. Dentists are all remarkably consistent about flossing. This level of coordination would require an actual coordinated cons…

Dentists in the US* flossing basically doesn’t exist in other parts of the world

Of countries where I could easily find an English website, the Australian, Canadian, and Irish Dental association all recommend flossing.

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#562

Post by KoftaBob »

baby wrote: post #544
sarchertech wrote: post #542

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You think there is conspiracy at the ADA level to push a free fake treatment as a way to convince patients to pay for other expensive fake treatments? And this conspiracy has infiltrated not only the ADA and every dental schools but dental hygienist schools and dental agencies all over the world. Dentists are all remarkably consistent about flossing. This level of coordination would require an actual coordinated cons…

Dentists in the US* flossing basically doesn’t exist in other parts of the world

Countries where "flossing doesn't exist" are probably places where people have poor oral health and jacked up teeth.

I would argue that flossing is even more important than brushing teeth, since the food particles stuck between teeth are more likely to stick around and feed the bacteria that cause cavities and bad breath.

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#563

Post by daddylongstroke »

josephg wrote: post #474
Firmwarrior wrote: post #447

Earlier quoted context omitted.

yeah, I was just thinking about this today. Doctors seem less like engineers and more like QA testers or PMs trying to fix bugs since there's nobody better suited to the job available. Hopefully medical science will keep advancing rapidly here..

I doubt doctors will get better at this in our lifetimes. As we discover ever more about the human body, how are doctors expected to keep up with the research on top of everything else? I’m hoping AI systems can help. A good medical AI should be able to stay abreast of all the research, know your personal medical history and suggest and evaluate any and all medical tests that are needed. Doctors will hate it, but I e…

I agree. Doctors' performance will remain the same as it has for thousands of years: overall, not so good. But, they've been using AI systems for well near a decade, especially in triage and real-time transcriptions. I haven't met many that don't love AI already in their day to day work.

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#564

Post by daddylongstroke »

Cpoll wrote: post #396
pfisherman wrote: post #389

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One thing that I think people need to understand is the distinction between science and the practice of medicine. The practice of medicine is not science. The practice of medicine can be informed by science - to a degree that is almost entirely up to the practitioner. ; but it remains more art than science. The distinction is similar to that between an aviation maintenance and aerospace engineering. Sometimes doctors…

> aviation maintenance and aerospace engineering Which is which though? As I understand it, aviation maintenance is quite rigorous, systematic, and informed by and taking into account every mistake made in the past.

Absolutely right! Maybe the most regulated industry in the US, but not positive.

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#565

Post by daddylongstroke »

UncleMeat wrote: post #382
Etrnl_President wrote: post #263

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Now imagine doing this on Canadian healthcare, having to wait months or years for each appointment, and nowadays they try to talk you into MAID to save resources…

I live in the US. I am a software engineer making more than a half a million annually. I have access to tremendous resources and can advocate for myself and my family. I live in a college town because of my wife's career. It is not a big city, but is also not rural middle of nowhere. Getting a routine gynecological appointment for my wife any time in the next six months is impossible. I gave up on trying to get an ap…

Well, no need to imagine any longer my friend. I have neither money nor insurance. My experience is identical to yours...other than that whole allergist thing. That's not something I would seek out answers on, as it is simple to figure out at home, and when you do get to an allergist, you will likely hear something very useless like "yeah you're allergic to at least some degree to these 17-25 different things; please try to limit exposure". :-D

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#566

Post by canucker2016 »

Etrnl_President wrote: post #263
jasonwatkinspdx wrote: post #228

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is very true. I had a SO with severe chronic gastric pain and they got passed around by doctors for years. One jerk wrote "drug seeking behavior" into her file and that made things even worse. Finally someone took her seriously, got imagery done, and discovered surgery was necessary. In US healthcare you have to be your own advocate and be willing to push. The system breaks down if you don't have a routine and o…

Now imagine doing this on Canadian healthcare, having to wait months or years for each appointment, and nowadays they try to talk you into MAID to save resources…

MAID == Medical assistance in dying (assisted suicide)

Went from nothing/reluctance to popular for some segments of the population

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#567

Post by daddylongstroke »

colordrops wrote: post #245
basisword wrote: post #164

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> I’m not a conspiracy nut. I believe in listening to experts (but ultimately making an informed decision). I believe in modern medicine. But that experience shook me and forever changed my trust in the dental industry. Ask anybody who’s experienced a “chronic” illness about the “experts” and they’ll tell you a tale or two. The experts are great until they have a case that is unusual. The don’t have the time or know…

This whole fear of being labeled a "conspiracy nut" for exploring less trodden paths needs to end. Calling people conspiracy nuts for looking behind curtains they shouldn't was a good tactic by various entities to cover up secrets and misdeeds, but it has spilled over into the non political arena and poisoned everything. Humans don't have a full understanding of everything, and in fact it's quite the opposite, in tha…

Pretty sad that you have to state the obvious ey? Amazed daily by the closed-mindedness on HN.

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#568

Post by daddylongstroke »

ryandrake wrote: post #268
colordrops wrote: post #245

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This whole fear of being labeled a "conspiracy nut" for exploring less trodden paths needs to end. Calling people conspiracy nuts for looking behind curtains they shouldn't was a good tactic by various entities to cover up secrets and misdeeds, but it has spilled over into the non political arena and poisoned everything. Humans don't have a full understanding of everything, and in fact it's quite the opposite, in tha…

I’m torn about this now. I used to cautiously support the practice of double checking your doc, but not wholeheartedly because of all the various quacks: essential oil moms, natural/spiritual healers, psychics, supplement sellers, crystal therapists, “old school” (pre-COVID) antivaxers and so on, muddying the water. Until COVID came around and unearthed the absolute hoards of dO yOuR oWn ReSeArCh imbeciles. Now the s…

Completely agree: couldn't believe the amount of conspiracy theorist doctors that pushed untested "vaccines" to a whole cohort of people which were at 0% effective risk from COVID.

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#569

Post by giantg2 »

mikeyouse wrote: post #554
giantg2 wrote: post #367

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, their statement of n=1 is more evidence than the other person posted (comment without any evidence). Although both are weak.

I mean, n=1 of a guy that had a good experience -- n=roughly 28,000,000 with no health insurance at all. These don't seem like two sides of the same coin in my view.

I'd the original comment actually mentioned that and laid out a theory behind it, that would be different (is that health insurance or dental insurance?). Even your comment about uninsured people doesn't fully connect the dots or explain what their experiences are, as some people in these comments are stating that cash dentists are cheaper/easier to deal with than with insurance. I have had experiences that also back this up.

Re: I went to 50 different dentists: almost all gave a different diagnosis (1997)

#570

Post by kbutler »

vkou wrote: post #549
kbutler wrote: post #445

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know people in Canada who come to the US for healthcare (better care for specialties, shorter wait times). I'm not aware of the reverse (admittedly, that would require more than just $$).

And Americans go to Mexico for healthcare, I'm not aware of the reverse, I guess that means Mexico has the best healthcare in the world.

I actually drove someone across the border from Mexico to the U.S. for healthcare (voluntourism injury).

The reason to go to Mexico is price. The reason to go to the U.S. is quality.

How about for Canada vs the U.S.?

If you're a Canadian citizen, Canadian healthcare is cheaper, but generally has much longer wait times.

U.S. healthcare is much more expensive, but much more quickly available, and specialty care (e.g., rare disease treatment) is much better.

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