January - LVI Visions

“The bottom line is that
judging others is arrogance
and something none of us
has the right to do.
My advice to those that
do it is “judge not lest
you be judged”.”
“If it can be measured,
it’s a fact and quite simply,
it if cannot be measured,
it’s an opinion.”
Dr. Jackson: Without hesitation, first and foremost, I ask that they grow up,
and act professional. Second, I invite them to examine for themselves, with an
open mind, that which they condemn. There can be no other purpose in a discussion
than to find a better way to treat our patients.
I wrote an editorial recently responding to this kind of unprofessional behavior
which has not only been perpetuated in print but from podiums as well.
In addition to what I have said above, I remind these authors that, acting as
judge and jury, espousing vitriolic condemnations from a distance, looking
only at photos in an article, or hearing only a patient’s story, is not effective in
ridding our profession of suspected maltreatment. Action is required and that
action should take an ethical, professional approach. If there is still concern
after calling the treating dentist to learn the facts of the case, our profession has
a peer-review system in place. Likewise, angry accusations that malfeasance is
taught at certain learning centers (only those which the author has no connection
with, of course) is ridiculous. No institute could stay in business, much less
thrive, if its graduates were being taught to do harm and not good.
The bottom line is that judging others is arrogance and something none of us has
the right to do. My advice to those that do it is “judge not lest you be judged”.
Dr. Reed: Geothe refers to this phenomenon as “active ignorance”. I quote
Bernard Jankelson, the renowned South African dentist who has done so much
for American dentistry: “If it can be measured, it’s a fact and quite simply, it if
cannot be measured, it’s an opinion.” We’re all entitled to our opinions and constitutionally
proved the freedom to express them, however erroneous they may
be. The sage advice to me by my father when I was quite young: “The older I
get, the fussier I am about what upsets me (or who likes me).” I have watched
in dismay as I have observed colleagues attempt to destroy each other and
when I look for the payoff, I find it wanting in the scales. Without questions,
the Golden Rule still works magic among us, doesn’t it?
Ron Jackson, DDS, FAGD, FAACD, is a 1972 graduate of West Virginia University School of Dentistry. He
has published many articles on esthetic, adhesive dentistry, and has lectured extensively across the United
States and abroad. Dr. Jackson has presented at all the major U.S. scientific conferences as well as
to Esthetic Academies in Europe, Asia, and South America. He is a Fellow in the American Academy of
Cosmetic Dentistry, a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, and is Director of the Advanced Adhesive
Aesthetic Dentistry, and Anterior Direct Resin programs at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental
Studies. Dr. Jackson maintains a private practice in Middleburg, Virginia, emphasizing comprehensive
restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
Omer K. Reed, DDS, maintains a thriving dental practice in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the originator of Napili
(Ohana now) seminars – workshops created to enhance success in dentistry, socio-economically, intellectually,
and technically. Dr. Reed has been an inspiration to thousands of dentists facing new professional
and personal challenges. He has counseled practitioners on how to open fresh horizons of opportunity
for personal, professional, and economic enrichment. He is a frequent guest on national and local
radio and television programs, and has been the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine interviews.
He is a faculty member of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, and serves as an
adjunct Professor at the University of Minnesota.
66 LVI VISIONS • JANUARY • FEBRUARY • MARCH • APRIL 2008