In the latest episode of the “Drink O’Clock Podcast,” host Rob Valincius sits down with the renowned Dr. Edward Feinberg, a pioneer in the field of dentistry and an accomplished author. Dr. Feinberg brings an unparalleled wealth of experience, as he shares insights from a career built alongside his father, a dental master, while revealing some fundamental issues currently plaguing the dental profession.
The Journey Begins
Dr. Feinberg’s journey in dentistry started early, working side-by-side with his father, a visionary in full mouth reconstruction. Despite the challenges and high expectations set by his father, a “tough taskmaster,” Dr. Feinberg embraced his father’s genius and meticulous attention to detail. Over two decades of practice together, Dr. Feinberg acquired a lifetime’s worth of invaluable knowledge that is not taught anywhere in the country.
Modern Dentistry: A Call for Change
A significant portion of the conversation focused on the state of modern dentistry. Dr. Feinberg passionately described how current practices, contrasting with foundational principles of dentistry, trouble him. According to him, many techniques taught today do not align with successful practices from the past, leading to increased issues with crowns and decay. He criticizes the over-reliance on new technology that often ignores basic successful principles.
Dr. Feinberg highlighted the alarming trend of tooth extraction in favor of dental implants, deeming it as a piecemeal approach rather than addressing broader restorative concerns. With dental implants being lucrative, many dentists may avoid the traditional crown and bridge techniques that Dr. Feinberg champions for their longevity and comprehensive effectiveness.
Understanding Dentistry: Crowns, Bridges, and Implants
For those unfamiliar with dental terms, Dr. Feinberg broke down the fundamentals:
- Crowns: These are restorations that cover a tooth 360 degrees, providing protection and strength.
- Bridges: Essentially multiple crowns tacked together, sometimes serving to replace a missing tooth by using adjacent teeth as anchors.
- Implants: Artificial roots made of titanium, set into the bone, where no tooth remains, offering a foundation for artificial teeth.
The Importance of Proactive Dental Care
The interview emphasized the necessity for proactive and preventative care, highlighting Dr. Feinberg’s frustration with the current direction of dental education and practices. By sharing experiences as simple as creating well-fitting temporary solutions during financially challenging times for patients, Dr. Feinberg underscored the importance of maintaining oral health to prevent future deterioration.
Insurance in Dentistry: A Misconceived Safety Net
Rob and Dr. Feinberg also discussed the limited role of dental insurance, which, unlike other forms of insurance, does not comprehensively cover costs. Dr. Feinberg pointed out how insurance plans often lead patients to believe they’re getting more value than they are, sometimes driving them toward inferior, volume-based care.
The Legacy and the Future
The conversation concluded with Dr. Feinberg expressing his dedication to preserving his and his father’s legacy through teaching and writing. His teaching website, The Onward Program, serves as an educational tool for dentists around the world, offering courses and a wealth of information based on over 70 years of documented evidence and successful case studies.
The interview with Dr. Edward Feinberg serves as an enlightening discussion on the challenges confronting modern dentistry and the importance of learning from the past. For those interested in delving deeper into Dr. Feinberg’s methodologies and insights, his teachings and publications are accessible to the public, enriching anyone eager to understand better and improve dental health.
Listeners can tune into the “Drink O’Clock Podcast” for more educational and captivating conversations that blend expertise and a touch of personal storytelling.