GETTING IT RIGHT

In dentistry, unlike in the medical profession, where a misdiagnosis can result in a loss of life, dental practitioners almost always get away with a misdiagnosis, with little or hardly any repercussions, even when it involves an extraction of a tooth or teeth that should have been spared. The unfortunate part is that patients rarely even realise that they have received an incorrect diagnosis.

Although a dental misdiagnosis normally goes unnoticed, the effects to a patient’s well-being should not be disregarded. The effects of a misdiagnosis can be detrimental, with the possibility of the patient suffering painful experiences, unnecessary medications, pointless surgeries and/or loss of teeth, which is something that cannot be reversed or given back.

Finding a dentist with the talent and commitment to always ensure an accurate diagnosis is given may not be easy. Arriving at a correct diagnosis requires having adequate relevant scientific knowledge and the skills to apply such knowledge with years of proper training and clinical experiences. One of the things you can do to help you get an accurate diagnostic from your dentist is to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you are not comfortable or satisfied with the answers given, ask again and again, of another dentist if necessary, until you are confident you have found the real cause of your condition.