Great debate debacle

July 1, 1999
Shame on Dental Economics, shame on Dr. Steven and Dr. Dickerson. The Great Amalgam Debate turned into the great debate debacle.

Kenneth E. Myers, DDS

Falmouth, Maine

Shame on Dental Economics, shame on Dr. Steven and Dr. Dickerson. The Great Amalgam Debate turned into the great debate debacle.

Although both doctors developed sound points, their reaction and responses to each other were embarrassing. Dentists today should focus more attention on how we treat patients rather than which restorative material is used.

In days gone by, we were "tooth doctors." Today, we are doctors of the "masticatory system." When a dentist truly understands the concepts needed to treat this system and, more importantly, the person it is a part of, the choice of restorative materials usually resolves itself on its own - especially when the restorative dentist is highly educated in today`s plethora of restorative options. Never be so focused on your assumed beliefs that you are blinded to the right way to restore a tooth, which is part of a masticatory system, belonging to a particular individual.