{"id":28016,"date":"2025-07-11T12:00:44","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T17:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/?p=28016"},"modified":"2025-06-26T12:43:02","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T17:43:02","slug":"flying-blind-a-wake-up-call-part-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oraldna.com\/trends-in-salivary-testing\/index.php\/2025\/07\/11\/flying-blind-a-wake-up-call-part-two\/","title":{"rendered":"Flying Blind: A Wake-Up Call – Part Two"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In <\/span>Part 1<\/b><\/a> of this series, Dr. Michael Goldberg urged dental professionals to return to their scientific roots and rethink their diagnostic habits. Now, in <\/span>Part 2<\/b>, he turns his attention to another critical gap in care: what happens once the patient leaves the chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diagnosis without follow-through leaves patients\u2014and practices\u2014vulnerable. In this installment, Dr. Goldberg explores how to bridge that gap with personalized care, modern tools, and the right conversations that truly empower patients.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bring back the science. Embrace diagnostics. Treat dentistry like the healthcare discipline it is\u2014not just a mechanical trade.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Drop-Off<\/b><\/h3>\n

As impressed as I was with Doogie Howser, MD, there was something missing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gout, like dental caries, is a disease impacted by diet.\u00a0 So nutritional compliance is key.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rheumatologist\u2019s “nutritional counseling” came in the form of a single page with lists of low-, medium-, and high-risk foods. No referral to a dietitian. No offer of a tracking app. No support at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was like building a Ferrari and then handing over the keys with no driving instructions.<\/span><\/p>\n

And it got me thinking\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

How Are <\/b>We<\/i><\/b> Supporting Our Patients at Home?<\/b><\/h3>\n

We often do the same thing in dentistry. We diagnose, we treat, we educate\u2014and then we hope for the best. But oral disease doesn\u2019t clock out when the patient leaves the operatory.<\/span><\/p>\n