Ronald Goldstein - (2/23/2010 2:07 PM)

You know, Milind, it is really difficult when your colleagues jump on the band wagon of the newest and brightest (potentially) of the manufacturers suggested techniques and products and now I tend to wait much longer than I used to. I think it is so important that the patient understand the limitations of a new technique tested only by the recommening company and a clinician who has done 5 or 6 procedures. So...let the buyer beware!!

Ronald Goldstein

milind saudagar - (2/18/2010 3:15 AM)

really good advice sir. it is actually a rat race which we tend to follow when we use new materials & techniques. who is the first is a common tendency. actually all techniques work. it is the thorough understanding of the material & biology of human tissues i.e. compatibility which needs to be understood. this is now happening with zirconia. there are so much companies coming up with the product & the type of fabrication its really confusing. caution is must!

rasika karnik - (12/23/2009 8:47 PM)

thank you sir, for the excellent advice. and also thank you to dr. lisa... this advice should be especially directed to us new practitioners as we are the ones more suceptible to this "jumping the bandwagon" syndrome.

Ronald Goldstein - (11/27/2009 11:42 AM)

Thanks, Lisa,

For your excellent points...I just wish dentists would utilize even 1/2 the good suggestions you brought up but unfortunately the power of the ad seems to prevail in dentistry as it does throughout our society. "If it is printed, then it must be truth" is the philosophy that most consumers live by. Do you think this could be one reason why so many dentists continue to practice just what they were taught in dental school throughout their careers?

Ronald Goldstein

Lisa Smith - (11/20/2009 5:14 PM)

Good classic advice. It would have been more helpful if he gave specific criteria to address before "jumping on the band wagon" of whatever new gadget you're considering. The one idea he presented about verifying how many subjects were involved in the cases is important, but also what about making sure they are long-term studies rather than just 1 mo follow-ups? Second, verify the control group was a valid one to contrast with. For example, a control group that uses a manual toothbrush with water vs a group that uses a new fancy toothbrush & uses regular toothpaste is a study designed to skew the results. Third, talk to a minimum of 3 others who have tried it for at least several years or are using the item & get detailed feedback from them. Fourth, look at how many studies are out there on the new product. If there's only 1 or 2, & probably funded by the company that stands to profit, those are not good studies to risk your professional reputation with. Fifth, you may not have time to read all the information out there but play devil's advocate & don't be afraid to ask argumentative questions of the promoters. "Aren't you compromising quality to increase your profit margin?" Finally, sixth & in my mind most importantly, do research looking for negative reviews of any new ideas, tools, or procedures you're looking to adopt. Investigate the negative, not just the positive. By being cautious, asking questions, & looking for drawbacks, you can prevent yourself from being taken in by a good sales pitch or an over-enamored colleague.