This is great news. Many people, even in developed countries, suffer a lack of quality dental care because of the cost. Once these devices become widespread, costs should start to drop significantly.
Robot dentist performs first human procedure
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Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure
#72Earlier 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.
So, what is your job? I will be honest, I've had better luck with google than most doctors. I've had doctors say things which were completely incorrect. I've had doctors prescribe unnecessary and not advised meds for what they diagnosed me with(incorrectly). I have friends who are pharmacists and they agree with my opinion, and they interact with doctors daily.
I have had the opposite experience. I have had professionals find and treat problems in weeks after wasting years using books and the internet.
I am not saying it is impossible, but find good info on the internet, but it has its limits.
Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure
#73Its 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…
I'm not bothered by any of these concerns, none of them are more important than cheap dental care because bad teeth and gums are agony that may lead to heart disease or cancers. The only thing I'm concerned about other than costs are failsafes. If the thing (or rather the 20th generation of the thing) can be absolutely guaranteed not to cause a disaster in someone's mouth (it should panic on the most minor confusion)…
I mostly agree with you, but note that “absolutely guaranteed” to not have a terrible outcome is not something human practitioners provide. The standard should be comparable.
Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure
#74This is great news. Many people, even in developed countries, suffer a lack of quality dental care because of the cost. Once these devices become widespread, costs should start to drop significantly.
Why do you think that? MRI scanners are still terribly expensive machines, for example. And in most countries, the hourly wage for a dentist need not be high.
It is more likely that some robot company is going to make a fortune. Whether other people profit from that is an open question.
Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure
#75> There sure are some brave guinea pig types out there. You can say that again.
Back in 2004, people had microchips inserted under their skin to enter their discos more quickly.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn5022-clubbers-choose-...
Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure
#76Earlier quoted context omitted.
Most docs are overworked for many, mostly bad reasons. Clinical overload is one thing, but healthcare is more like drowning in admin work, these days. So mostly yes, but the true answer is more complex than I can write about in a comment.
The US has 26.1 doctors per capita, while Germany has 42.5, which is a middle-of-the-road number for the developed West. Do you accept the criticism that the US simply artificially limits the supply of doctors, which leads to overwork for physicians, and worse health outcomes for patients? Do you think most doctors would take less hours for a somewhat lower salary if you it was possible?
the admin bloat comes from medical insurance industrial complex. same as in education
Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure
#77Its 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…
I don't know about US and it's healthcare system, but in many countries changing dentists is really easy because it's not tied to your healthcare, just pay out of pocket kind of situation. People discuss dentists, they give recommendations to friends, so it's a pretty efficient market. And people pay a lot of attention to how scary or not scary their procedure was.
Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure
#78Earlier 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.
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We should all strive to automate what we can in a safe manner.
The only reason it is seen as a bad thing is that the economic system coerced you into proving you deserve basic necessities.
Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure
#79Earlier 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.
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."
Come on, doctors are some of the most highly compensated wage earners.
Every working stiff at all income levels sacrifices disproportionately to their income, and if I were a high school teacher, I'd belly laugh at this doctor pity party.
Re: Robot dentist performs first human procedure
#80Will robot dentists facilitate the option to lay face down for procedures so that the debris and saliva falls out instead of needing the suction tool?