Dentists used terminology and concepts the public readily understood and accepted, elevating their role to a preventive, hygienic model, rather than merely a palliative role. So, too, can chiropractors. Indeed, the dental profession's partnership with schools serves as an excellent model for our profession. Dentists also garnered the support of vendors and manufacturers, including makers of toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss and other oral hygiene products. Again, there are lessons here for us.
Dental patients play a prominent role in oral hygiene.
Patients are taught how and why to brush and floss to improve their oral health. This message of empowerment is familiar to any chiropractic patient. In emphasizing oral hygiene over crisis care, dentists have history on their side. After all, it the simple, steady improvements in hygiene and prevention of diseases over the years that has brought about today's unprecedented life spans. While medical miracles and high tech interventions get much of the attention in the media, most of us seldom experience them first-hand.