🦷 Mondays with Mark: Let’s Talk About Dr. Google!

This article didn’t sit right with me: “How dentistry can win the battle against ‘Dr. Google’.“

“Thanks to the internet,” it said, “patients are coming into dental practices and questioning treatment recommendations ranging from x-rays to topical fluoride.”

How dare they question us! Kidding aside, I believe we should applaud our patients when they take a proactive role in their healthcare. I love it when people come to me having already done some Googling. That’s a perfect door opener for me to discuss with them…

1. Where was the study published?

You want to make sure that the study was published in a reputable and credible publication, such as a peer-reviewed journal. With more and more media outlets emerging daily, establishing credibility is becoming a bigger issue. The best way to know if a publication is reputable is to ask your healthcare provider, a librarian, or someone who is in the field you are researching.

2. Don’t trust your search engine.

Just because something pops up first doesn’t mean it’s the best or truest information out there. Large companies have a lot of authority in the Google search algorithm—but it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re publishing something that represents things factually.  

3. One study is not enough.

It’s not uncommon to see articles contradicting something we’ve been told for years and years – like excessive fat is not good for you. When the headlines start singing praises about fat being fabulous, you have to check the sources. Plural. One simple study does not negate decades of proven research. Just give it some time and often you’ll find the new claim shot down when more research is done.

4. Find out who is funding the research.

While it shouldn’t have anything to do with results, the fact of the matter is that money talks. Make yourself aware of who is funding the research and keep that in mind when reading the claims. Sadly, studies have been known to be influenced when the source of the funding has a vested interest in the results.

5. Who, what, when, and where?

A study is only as good as the people involved. When you want to find out the effects of too many pickles on a pregnancy, you don’t test a woman who is not pregnant. While that may sound obvious, you’d be surprised at how many studies are performed with inconsistent or inconsequential variables.

6. Get both sides of the story.

When a study conflicts with what you’ve always thought to be true, do some research on your own. Talk to a trusted healthcare professional and read as many reputable reports on the subject as you can find before you make any drastic changes to your diet, medication, or lifestyle.

7. Read the fine print.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to always, always read beyond the headlines. Sometimes a catchy headline is all they are, with nothing at all to substantiate the claim.

Let’s not be condescending or make patients feel silly for “consulting Dr. Google.”

If you are close-minded to your patients in this way, you’re going to be fighting an uphill battle your entire career. Yes, there’s a lot of B.S. on Google. But to that I say, welcome to practicing dentistry in the modern age!

There’s a 15-year delay (give or take) for research to trickle into clinical practice. So it’s possible your patient may bring you something you haven’t heard of yet that is cutting edge. Regardless, if you keep an open mind, they will respect you for it.

I’m curious to hear from you…

1. Has your doctor ever told you not to consult with “Dr. Google”?
2. What’s worked for you—either as a patient or a practitioner—when “Dr. Google” shows up in the exam room?

🎧 Episode #51: Do I need to worry about mercury from metal fillings while breastfeeding?

Tune in to this week’s podcast episode to learn…

• Why I stopped using metal fillings [0:14:16]
• Mercury in human milk and why fillings won’t affect the baby [0:15:29]
• Why you shouldn’t get an amalgam filling removed during pregnancy and the procedures that protect you if one is essential [0:23:56]
• My list of things that can increase your mercury absorption [0:25:27]
• How to test your mercury levels: the test that I recommend [0:29:55]

Help me spread the word about the importance of the oral-systemic connection by leaving a review for the podcast on iTunes or Spotify.

P.S. Do you love your functional dentist? Forward them this link to join our Functional Dentist Directory. If they use coupon code “LOVE15” they’ll save 15% on their annual membership: https://askthedentist.com/product/dentist-directory-listing/