FDC2022 | SPEAKER preview
focus on successful treatment outcomes of adjunctive clinical homeopathy to ascertain resulting improvement for the patient and therefore for us. Dogmatism is a sign of inexperience.7
By Diana Bronstein, DDS, M.S., M.S., M.S., DABP, DICOI, FICOI In these unprecedented times, the challenges for dental practitioners mirror the need for implementation of new pathways to serve their patient population and all who depend on their leadership and work. Being successful with patient treatment is imperative for all practicing dentists. Treatment success is determined by the outcome for the patient who cares primarily for levels of morbidity and only then for aesthetics, function and cost. Fear of pain during and after the procedure will deter a patient
Meta-analysis reviews hold the highest academic level of evidence, yet most conclude righteously with the statement that more research is needed, while expert opinion, clinical experience and case reports, for example, hold the lowest level of academic empirical evidence and are considered anecdotal. The dentist in the trenches will appreciate safe and reliable means to achieve clinical treatment success.
from seeking care until it is the pain that will force the patient to present as an emergency.1,2
Homeopathy has been used as a treatment modality since the 1800s and evidence of its safety and efficacy has been documented extensively,8 yet, it remains the most controversial treatment modality in the field of complementary medicine. The reasons for the polarized, at times hostile, controversy are rooted in fear of the unknown, which is the greatest fear of all,9 and lack of understanding of how a nanoconcentration can affect an organism inversely to its level of dilution. The higher the dilution, the lower the concentration, the stronger and deeper the effect. The ArndtSchulz law,10 while it is currently being applied to laser and phototherapy,11 seemingly contradicts the dosage-dependent rule of toxicity, which says the dose makes the poison. In fact, there is no contradiction, as toxicity has dose-dependent inhibiting effect on the organism. At the other side of the spectrum, the question arises how micromolecular dosage and Brownian motion energy can affect an organism at all.
Even before the opioid crisis, NSAIDs have been routinely used in indicated cases. Contraindications in general are GI, urogenital and nephrotic conditions, as well as allergies and sensitivities to these drugs. These cases leave little choices for postoperative moderate to severe pain management.3,4 Many patients are familiar with Arnica as an antiphlogistic and analgesic in herbal as well as homeopathic form. They often are better informed than their dentist. This can impact rapport and trust. Regardless of application and use, it behooves each provider to present to the patient upon request, rounded knowledge of pain management and treatment modalities.13 To differentiate and define alternative versus complementary versus integrative medicine and herbalism versus homeopathy, on the one hand, will demonstrate the provider’s competence and, therefore, increase patient’s trust. On the other hand, it can provide another tool in the dentist’s toolbox, which has a great cost-benefit ratio.5,6
In clinical practice, the most experienced and successful practitioners use, endorse, and promote pre- and postoperative intraoral topicals and ingestible preparations containing homeopathic dilutions of Arnica montana with great and reproducible success.14 Current and classic research is providing evidence-based grounds for clinical application.8,12-17
As credible professionals, we practice evidence-based dentistry, which is clinically applicable, ergo translational, as well as it being reliable and reproducible in its successful treatment outcome. Before implementing any procedure or change, we strive
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