{"id":30259,"date":"2026-02-02T08:56:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T14:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aae.org\/specialty\/?p=30259"},"modified":"2026-01-31T13:58:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T19:58:50","slug":"mis-disinformation-in-dentistry-a-growing-threat-to-patient-care-and-professional-credibility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aae.org\/specialty\/mis-disinformation-in-dentistry-a-growing-threat-to-patient-care-and-professional-credibility\/","title":{"rendered":"Mis\/Disinformation in Dentistry: A Growing Threat to Patient Care and Professional Credibility"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Endodontics is hard work, both physically and mentally. I\u2019m not complaining, just stating facts. Anyone who has spent some time in the \u201ctrenches\u201d 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.<\/em><\/strong> We\u2019ve all heard it: \u201cRoot canals cause cancer, root canals lead to other diseases, how can you leave a dead organ in the body\u201d. <\/em>My problem, I realized was not that I was any more physically tired than the day before, I was however mentally taxed!\u00a0 As clinicians, we\u2019ve always had to correct patient misunderstandings, misconceptions and mistruths but over the past decade and especially the last couple of years we\u2019ve entered a new era, one in which misinformation isn\u2019t merely occasional, it\u2019s 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 \u201cbothered\u201d<\/em>, 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.<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

Mis\/Disinformation\u2014What\u2019s the difference?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In endodontics, the distinction between misinformation<\/strong> and disinformation<\/strong> 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 <\/em><\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

The New Mis\/Disinformation Pipeline<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.<\/em><\/strong> The more sensational the claim (\u201croot canals cause cancer, fluoride is poison, baby teeth don\u2019t matter\u201d), the faster it spreads.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t 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, <\/em><\/strong>or speed<\/em><\/strong>, as influencers.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

There is also a growing cultural preference for \u201cnatural\u201d or \u201calternative\u201d solutions, which can make evidence-based care seem overly clinical or commercial by comparison unless we explain the why behind our recommendations.<\/p>\n

Additionally, today\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Real-World Consequences for Dentistry<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We are seeing predictable outcomes:<\/p>\n