What is and isn't acceptable on this board.

angel_snowfey

It is very difficult to give good advice online in relation to any aspect of life.:o

faithcecilia

I think the inconsistency on this board is very confusing. My recent thread about borderline personality disorder has been removed (and it was about moneysaving as my friend was considering a private consultation). There was no medical advice in it, just a couple of opinions about whether to see someone or not. Yet the chicken pox thread has lots of suggestions of treatments and remains...

Reverbe

can anyone tell me what the beauty and health forum is doing hidden in the relationships and marriage section> no wonder I didnt know there was one!

As someone who doesnt have a relationship, marriage or family but does have health and beauty interests.. I would have never found this board if someone hadnt alerted me to it as I would never dream of looking in an irrelevant to me board..

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi everyone

We've recently had queries that dentists are giving advice. We're not a medical site, but a MoneySaving Forum and need to ensure you're aware of that and don't give advice on the Forum. Could everyone using this board please take a moment to re-read Martin's post?

Thank you!

Toothsmith

Dear Andrea,

I came onto this board about 6 years ago when I happened to notice a debate about private vs NHS dentistry which was basically spouting the tabloid line that all private dentists were money-grabbing charletans.

Hopefully, over that time I have helped to balance the debate a little bit, making people see what they should be looking for in a dental practice, and how to find a decent dentist and how to spot the ones that should be avoided. Be it NHS or private.

Also, over that time, I have hopefully given some good 'advice' on what some dental jargon might mean if patients haven't quite understood what has been explained to them, or how to go about getting certain problems or conditions taken seriously, and pros and cons of certain types of treatment.

I have also 'advised' on such things as tooth whitening. Pointing out illegal services (that the moderators don't seem to pick up on) or illegal suppliers (ditto). Or why going abroad for invasive medical treatments in countries with little regulation might need careful thought.

Recently, two or three other dentists have joined in with this. One thing we all have in common is that we never promote our own particular service or practice.

I think, on balance, we add to the site. None of us give SPECIFIC medical advice. If people post with specific problems then often the first thing we will say is that such things are impossible to diagnose accurately over the internet, and that the posters should seek proper dental advice as soon as possible.

Problems still arise though when members of the 'general public' chip in with their fixes and remedies. Some of which, can be frankly dangerous. (E.G. putting something warm against an aching tooth).

So - I would fully agree with you Andrea that specific medical advice should be clamped down upon. But I think you will be hard pressed to find any of the regular dental contributors on here actually doing that.

It would be good if the moderators could clamp down a little harder on the spammers of Tooth Whitening and Treatment abroad.

It would also be good if you could come in a little quicker when non-dentists start recommending specific remedies for problems where no diagnosis is possible via the net, or if people give out inaccurate information. Then we wouldnt have to do it and risk putting people's backs up if we do it 'in the wrong tone of voice'!

Do you think you could help with that?

Former_MSE_Andrea

Thanks for that Toothsmith

MoneySaving help is fine but no-one, dentist or not, should be posting medical advice so if you can report it to the Forum Team to let them know if you see it that would be great. If no-one does then we're not aware.

Your quote below will really help too. Thanks!

If people post with specific problems then often the first thing we will say is that such things are impossible to diagnose accurately over the internet, and that the posters should seek proper dental advice as soon as possible.

DragonFly

Thanks for the explanation.

jenn87_2

what is this?:j