Alan explores the state of prevention in dentistry, inspired by his constant sense of smelling periodontitis everywhere. He argues that while the profession talks a good game about prevention, its core focus remains surgical intervention. Alan stresses that the success of dental health hinges on the 363 days of patient home care outside the office, yet dentists often fail to properly educate patients on effective techniques beyond generic instructions to "brush and floss." Drawing on insights from hygiene experts, he calls for a radical shift to front-load prevention—moving past a reliance on periodic exams to actively equipping patients with the customized tools and knowledge needed for effective, daily self-care.
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