Mis/Disinformation in Dentistry: A Growing Threat to Patient Care and Professional Credibility

Endodontics is hard work, both physically and mentally. I’m not complaining, just stating facts. Anyone who has spent some time in the “trenches” practicing clinical endodontics can attest. The other evening as I was pondering my day, I felt especially tired. The reality was I didn’t really do anything different than the previous days. What was different was I had a number of patients questioning the scientific validity of what we do. We’ve all heard it: “Root canals cause cancer, root canals lead to other diseases, how can you leave a dead organ in the body”. My problem, I realized was not that I was any more physically tired than the day before, I was however mentally taxed!  As clinicians, we’ve always had to correct patient misunderstandings, misconceptions and mistruths but over the past decade and especially the last couple of years we’ve entered a new era, one in which misinformation isn’t merely occasional, it’s systemic. What patients see on TikTok, hear from influencers, or read in online forums now competes directly with our training and expertise. Instagram is the new Dr. Google where once upon a time we were “bothered”, occasionally, by a patient that looked something up online. The consequences are no longer limited to chair-side confusion-they affect treatment decisions, access to care, public trust, and even governmental policy.

Our surveys show us nearly one-half of young adults and 70% of teens look to social media for health advice. Additionally, one-third to one-half of those that seek advice from social media and act on it, later regret it!

Mis/Disinformation—What’s the difference?

In endodontics, the distinction between misinformation and disinformation is important because the intent behind inaccurate information directly affects how it should be addressed. Misinformation refers to incorrect or incomplete information that is shared without the intent to deceive, often arising from outdated evidence, misinterpretation of studies, or oversimplification of complex clinical concepts. In contrast, disinformation involves the deliberate dissemination of false or misleading claims, often to promote a product, ideology, or personal agenda despite contradictory evidence. While misinformation can typically be corrected through education, clarification, and updated guidelines, disinformation poses a greater threat to patient safety and professional integrity, as it undermines evidence-based decision-making and erodes trust in the specialty. Recognizing this difference allows endodontists and professional organizations to respond appropriately, educating when errors are unintentional and confronting disinformation that is intentionally misleading with clear, authoritative, and transparent guidance.

The New Mis/Disinformation Pipeline

Historically, dental guidance flowed from professional organizations like the AAE or ADA, dental schools, and licensed providers. Patients sought us as a trusted source not only for information but also for care. Today, information reaches patients through platforms optimized for engagement, not accuracy. The more sensational the claim (“root canals cause cancer, fluoride is poison, baby teeth don’t matter”), the faster it spreads.

Compounding the issue is the rise of AI-generated health content, product-driven marketing disguised as advice, and individuals with no clinical background positioning themselves as authorities. Patients often don’t question the source, they respond to tone, relatability, and repetition. Algorithms reward engagement, not truth. And few dental professionals produce content at the same volume, or speed, as influencers.

There is also a growing cultural preference for “natural” or “alternative” solutions, which can make evidence-based care seem overly clinical or commercial by comparison unless we explain the why behind our recommendations.

Additionally, today’s polarized political climate has eroded public trust in institutions, causing even established dental science, like fluoride use or root canal safety, to be questioned through ideological lenses rather than evidence. As a result, misinformation in dentistry is no longer just a matter of correcting facts, but of rebuilding trust in the profession amid competing narratives driven by algorithms, influencers, and regulatory conflict.

Real-World Consequences for Dentistry

We are seeing predictable outcomes:

• Delayed or refused treatment: Patients forgo root canals, fluoride therapy, sealants, or restorative care based on online claims.
• Increased emergencies: Abscesses, advanced decay, and lost teeth rise when misinformation delays intervention.
• Fragmented trust: Patients come into appointments skeptical, guarded, or convinced they need to “fact-check” clinical advice.
• Longer chair-side time: More of our conversations now begin with myth correction rather than prevention or treatment planning.
• Professional vulnerability: Misconceptions create pressure on standards of care and influence legislation and insurance policies.

These effects are not isolated to any one demographic. Colleagues in rural practices, urban clinics, faculty settings, and private offices report similar patterns. Misinformation is now a shared challenge across the profession.

Our Responsibility, and Opportunity

Misinformation and disinformation will not be corrected by silence. Patients are not rejecting evidence as much as they are reacting to what feels familiar, human, and repeated. This is a communication problem, not an intellectual one, and we are well-positioned to address it.

Here are some practical ways we can address this problem.

1. Reach out to the AAE This year the AAE launched a “Mis/Disinformation Response Toolkit” (org/misinformation)

What the AAE Is Doing to Confront Mis/Disinformation

The American Association of Endodontists has made addressing dental misinformation and disinformation a strategic priority, recognizing that these false narratives now directly affect patient trust, treatment decisions, and the practice of evidence-based endodontics.

In response to the rapid spread of misleading claims about root canal treatment on social media, the AAE has taken deliberate steps to engage misinformation where it originates. This includes recent collaborations with credible, medically aligned social media creators to dispel common myths about root canals using clear, relatable, and evidence-based messaging. By partnering with trusted voices who already reach large public audiences, the AAE is helping ensure accurate information appears in the same digital spaces where misinformation thrives — and in a format patients are more likely to see and understand.

Beyond the toolkit, the AAE continues to monitor emerging misinformation trends, integrate myth-busting education into member communications and continuing education, and engage with media outlets to proactively elevate accurate, evidence-based information about tooth preservation and endodontic treatment. These efforts reflect a broader commitment not only to correcting false claims, but to rebuilding public trust in dental science through transparency, consistency, and credible communication.

2. Address it directly and early. When patients mention online claims, responding with empathy and clarity works far better than dismissal.
3. Strengthen patient-facing communication.
   Brief, visual, relatable explanations beat jargon. Patients don’t need our textbooks, they need our translation.
4. Engage where misinformation lives.
   Associations, academic leaders, and even individual clinicians can and should coexist with influencers on digital platforms, not ignore them. Every endodontist has the same opportunity to go online and combat misinformation
5. 5. Equip the whole dental team.
   Assistants and administrative staff are often the first to hear patients’ doubts. Consistent internal messaging matters.
6. Use real patient outcomes.
   Stories of avoided complications or successful interventions carry weight against abstract fearmongering.
7. Advocate at the regulatory and educational level.
   Mis/Disinformation influences policy and curricula, and our organizations must stay ahead of that curve.

Reclaiming Authority Without Arrogance

Patients are not the enemy, and neither is curiosity. The problem is not that people seek information, but that they rarely know how to evaluate it. As licensed professionals, we carry both the burden and the privilege of being trusted sources. Countering misinformation doesn’t mean entering the social media fray uninvited—it means being visible, responsive, and unified in tone and message.

We can’t prevent every influencer post or dental myth from circulating, but we can ensure our voice remains louder, clearer, and grounded in data and patient outcomes. The more we lead the dialogue rather than react to it, the stronger our influence becomes.

Misinformation and Disinformation is not going away, but neither is dentistry’s responsibility to protect patients from it. By acknowledging the problem and responding strategically, we reinforce the credibility of the profession and safeguard the health of those we serve.