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Robot dentist performs first human procedure

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Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#41
post #35

It’s going to become increasingly apparent in the US over time the degree to which doctors & the regulatory state are blocking us from getting cheap new care. Already ML algos are more accurate at diagnosing melanomas from an image than dermatologists - but we will never get that tech because doctors are fiercely protective of their salaries and have captured the arm of the state to help them do so.

Being a doc, I can confidently tell you you are totally incorrect as to why things happen the way they do in healthcare. That won't surprise you, I guess. I long tried to make outsiders, and especially tech people, understand what our job is, but discussions always lead to the same stereotypes.

I suspect you're right, and would be interested to hear more.

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#42
post #35

It’s going to become increasingly apparent in the US over time the degree to which doctors & the regulatory state are blocking us from getting cheap new care. Already ML algos are more accurate at diagnosing melanomas from an image than dermatologists - but we will never get that tech because doctors are fiercely protective of their salaries and have captured the arm of the state to help them do so.

Being a doc, I can confidently tell you you are totally incorrect as to why things happen the way they do in healthcare. That won't surprise you, I guess. I long tried to make outsiders, and especially tech people, understand what our job is, but discussions always lead to the same stereotypes.

Myself a med-school-dropout, I've found myself several times telling doctors how I really feel: "You aren't paid enough for the sacrifices you made just to be able to help people that probably aren't going to listen to your advice, anyways."

Thank you for your sacrifices, including to the oncoming ML "clinicians."

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#43
post #12

Dental repair is really nothing. Automatic welders are very common e.g. I've worked on automatic brain surgery robots, which really needs to be automatic. because 3d, tricky, and the doctor outside sees much less than the tiny sensors inside. but you can interfere and even invite remote specialists on remote duty to observe or handle the pedals.

That's interesting! Up to now, I've never seen automated surgical robots. They're just big swiss knives with stereo vision, usually. Are there automated robots on the market ?

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#44
post #37
post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> doctors are fiercely protective of their salaries A freshly-minted dermatologist isn't making that much, though they will be in the long term. As a whole, physicians aren't very organized to deal with these types of technological "invaders." The AMA and similar organizations' core competencies have traditionally been limiting supply and creating personnel exclusivity (limiting residency slots, limiting the usefulne…

So, why hasn't it been done yet ?? (I'm a doc, BTW)

Every piece of breakthrough technology you use has followed this process to some degree, it takes time. As with any field, folks are resistant to new ideas and methods.

Despite being poorly-organized, the medical field is collectively quite conservative and moves slowly - "first do no harm" is kind of the name of the game.

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#46

It’s going to become increasingly apparent in the US over time the degree to which doctors & the regulatory state are blocking us from getting cheap new care. Already ML algos are more accurate at diagnosing melanomas from an image than dermatologists - but we will never get that tech because doctors are fiercely protective of their salaries and have captured the arm of the state to help them do so.

If only you guys had universal healthcare and therefore the state would prioritize cheap new care to minimize those costs.

Don't doctors have unions in those systems also.

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#47
post #35

It’s going to become increasingly apparent in the US over time the degree to which doctors & the regulatory state are blocking us from getting cheap new care. Already ML algos are more accurate at diagnosing melanomas from an image than dermatologists - but we will never get that tech because doctors are fiercely protective of their salaries and have captured the arm of the state to help them do so.

Being a doc, I can confidently tell you you are totally incorrect as to why things happen the way they do in healthcare. That won't surprise you, I guess. I long tried to make outsiders, and especially tech people, understand what our job is, but discussions always lead to the same stereotypes.

[flagged]

Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#48
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Being a doc, I can confidently tell you you are totally incorrect as to why things happen the way they do in healthcare. That won't surprise you, I guess. I long tried to make outsiders, and especially tech people, understand what our job is, but discussions always lead to the same stereotypes.

[flagged]

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Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure

#50
post #19

Its cool tech, don't get me wrong. But maybe, before we remove any amount of comfort with another human being we look at wether all of the dental practices are actually backed by science (which there is some scruitiny over). But also going to the dentist already isn't exactly pleasant, the pokes, scrapes, drill noises, etc. Maybe we improve that first before sticking it in a robot? People already have a ton of anxiet…

>But also going to the dentist already isn't exactly pleasant, the pokes, scrapes, drill noises, etc. Maybe we improve that first before sticking it in a robot? Dentists are definitely trying. The drills have gotten smaller and gentler, my dentist (and many others) offers a headset so you can listen to music/podcasts while getting your cleaning, and overall they make an effort to be less scoldy and more encouragey. T…

There are a lot of fields like this, where they have mostly been reduced to refinements but ultimately are still very barbaric procedures. All we've done is upgrade the stick (in this case, a nice shiny pick), but the procedure hasn't changed much at all.

Too much of dentistry is still stuck on instant fix solutions. Take hard metal, scrape teeth. Something wrong on inside, just drill into it scrape it out and fill it. Dental implants were the last major invention and that was what, in the 60s? There really needs to be far more money and research in the field, because there is ample opportunity for major improvements here as it's lagging so far behind other health fields.

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