Misako Hirota, DMD, owner of Hirota Dental in National City, Calif., recently spoke with Becker’s about this trend.
Editor’s note: This response was lightly edited for length and clarity.
Question: What is one trend you would like to see end in dentistry?
Dr. Misako Hirota: I would like to see advertisements for teeth whitening and aligners on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram to end. This trend of DIY dentistry is detrimental to the patient and the industry. Patients get the incorrect impression that these procedures are without risk, when in fact they can be and it also disincentivizes patients to see the dentist regularly.
