Flossing, remoaning and remainia – dentistry in denial'

I write with reference to the letter entitled ‘Flossing, remoaning and remainia – dentistry in denial’, by a certain Crawford Bain, published in the October issue of Dental Update43(8): 793.

I found it quite amusing that Professor Bain seems to call up a psychological theory which has no sound proof (cognitive dissonance) as evidence to prove that the profession is ‘in denial’ about the seemingly non-existent benefits of flossing. He would have done better to bring into question ‘confirmation bias’,¹ which would also tie into the ‘Brexit’ issue and its supporters; the eminent scholars of the ever-popular universities of Google and Facebook, whose algorithms feed your frenzy by supplying links to search terms which agree with previously-held beliefs.

What I didn't find so amusing, however, is the generalization that Professor Bain seems to bestow on the profession as being ‘in denial’ when faced with these meta-analyses which seem to show that flossing confers no benefits. It is a little bit like me assuming that, without ever having met Professor Bain, knowing he supports ‘Brexit’ (it's easy for him you see, in Dubai he'll probably be getting paid in US$) he must fit the stereotype of being spectacled, in the latter third of his life, sport a crop of white hair and have one or two fused crowns on the anterior teeth (group attribution error/stereotype bias). I would like to think that, as professionals, we take responsibility for keeping abreast of scientific developments to further and update our education to ensure that we do our best for our patients.