future of dentistry in question??

[jojojaxon]

I just had a microbi lecture in which our proff talked about vaccines that are now in their experimental stages that could completely prevent cavities by inhibiting growth of the acid fermenting bacteria that cause them....obviously dentists do more than just treat cavities so I cant see this putting dentistry as a profession out of business but could certainly bring about huge changes in the field in the not so distant future. anyone in the know heard anything about this?

[dr.drill]

I just had a microbi lecture in which our proff talked about vaccines that are now in their experimental stages that could completely prevent cavities by inhibiting growth of the acid fermenting bacteria that cause them....obviously dentists do more than just treat cavities so I cant see this putting dentistry as a profession out of business but could certainly bring about huge changes in the field in the not so distant future. anyone in the know heard anything about this?

 

http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2001/10.04/01-dentalvax.html

[forkdork]

... greeaaaaaaaaattt.....

[wishywish82]

once they come up with another solution for orthodontics and endodontics then maybe I could see dentistry being in jepordy. You can see this as a negetive as you'll have less cavities to fill or as a positive, think of integrating this treatment into a hygeine appointment and charging for it

[dr.drill]

Almost 80% of the restorations you will do in private practice are replacing/repairing existing fillings due to failure. Don't expect the work to taper off fast anytime soon.

[mouthdiaper]

with the baby boomer getting older each and every year, what you will be doing is mostly gum work. Come on people these days don't even know how to brush their teeth properly (even they show you they could do it, doesn't mean they will do it at home while you are not there), coming out with a fancy vaccine isn't going to prevent anything. Will we ever be out of things to do? no way, there's always people out there with cavities, there's always people out there who knock their teeth out need replacement (you think they will wear a mouthguard while fighting on streets?), there's always people who doesn't like their teeth and want extreme make over. The question is not really focus on whether we will be out of patient to work on, but more of do you as a graduating dentist have the essential skills to tackle these problems or just kept on referring their patient to the "specialist".