Ideal Treatment
In dental school we learn principals and algorithms of diagnosis and treatment. We memorize facts until they become second nature and we don’t have to think about them anymore. As we gain experience and knowledge in practice we are able to do more complicated cases, i.e. restore mouths that present multiple problems. As we become more sophisticated in our abilities we begin to look at mouths more critical, each time thinking what can we do to make it more ideal. Ideal implies the best. Herein lies the caveat. The best maybe the most elaborate, sophisticated, and possibly costly. It may not be the ideal treatment however. Ideal treatment maybe different things to different people. This note is simply to have you to ask yourself that question. What is the best thing for me at this moment? Take charge and begin to participate in your health care.
How sure am I that the treatment recommended to me will serve my best interests?
Do I thoroughly understand it?
Did I do my own research and have the right expectations of the outcome?
Get the idea..?
