Fact check: Can we trust dentist

1. Summary of the results

The question of whether we can trust dentists reveals a complex landscape with both positive indicators and concerning challenges. Research shows that patient trust in dentistry is a legitimate area of academic study, with evidence-based approaches being developed to understand and measure this trust ^[1]. The dental profession demonstrates commitment to professional development through communities and resources that support evidence-based practice ^[2].

Key factors that influence patient trust include dentist reputation, professionalism, and communication skills ^[3]. The profession also shows dedication to ethical research practices, with emphasis on addressing conflicts of interest and maintaining high standards in scientific publications ^[4].

However, malpractice data reveals significant concerns. Studies from multiple countries show that certain dental specialties face higher rates of lawsuits, with prosthodontics consistently appearing as the specialty with the highest number of malpractice claims, followed by orthodontics and endodontics ^{[5] [6]}. Common issues leading to malpractice include inadequate documentation, failed root canal therapy, dental implant failures, incorrect treatment, and incomplete treatment ^{[7] [6]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several crucial contextual factors:

• Geographic variations in dental practice standards and regulations - malpractice patterns differ significantly between countries, as shown by studies from Saudi Arabia and Turkey ^{[5] [6]}
• The distinction between different dental specialties - trust levels and malpractice rates vary considerably, with prosthodontics and oral surgery showing higher risk profiles compared to general dentistry ^{[5] [6]}
• The role of patient factors in trust - research indicates that patient selection of dental services involves multiple factors beyond just clinical competence, including office environment and communication style ^[3]
• The evolution of evidence-based dentistry - while the profession strives for evidence-based practice, there are acknowledged limitations and the need for dentists to balance research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences ^[1]

Dental insurance companies and legal firms specializing in malpractice would benefit from highlighting negative aspects of dental care, as this drives demand for their services. Conversely, dental professional organizations and dental schools have financial incentives to emphasize the trustworthiness and competence of the profession.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question "can we trust dentist" contains an inherent bias by:

• Treating all dentists as a monolithic group - the evidence shows significant variation in competence and trustworthiness across specialties and individual practitioners ^{[5] [6]}
• Implying a binary trust/distrust framework - the research suggests trust in dentistry is multifaceted and depends on various factors including communication skills, professional reputation, and clinical outcomes ^[3]
• Lacking specificity about what aspects of dental care are being questioned - whether technical competence, ethical behavior, communication, or business practices

The question also fails to acknowledge that the dental profession has established mechanisms for quality control, including evidence-based practice guidelines, professional communities for knowledge sharing, and ethical research standards ^{[2] [4]}. However, the malpractice data suggests these mechanisms may be insufficient in preventing significant numbers of treatment failures and patient harm ^{[7] [6]}.