We as orthodontists need to work in a very collaborative way. When treating malocclusions to create a million dollar smile there comes a pinching question to mind that “how does one know when they are pushing idealism vs. professionalism”?
In the world of media development there is increase culture of photography especially assessing one’s own smile by a quick selfie. Looking to our predecessors in previous times it was not as hard to satisfy orthodontic patients as it is now. Every community has its own norms and culture evolving treatment need and standards. This brings in a conflict between idealism and professionalism. As the orthodontic paradigm evolved we see two perceptions emerge: 1; idealism help evolve the treatment goals, providing the patient its individuality. 2; professionalism helps build and develop strategies to practice. Although, professionalism may slightly adopt norms of the community. However professionalism would in general always find its roots in good medical practice. Both, idealism and professionalism can build great things, but effectively very differently. In my humble opinion idealism builds brand new things while professionalism builds those things right.
I would leave you to build your own perception about this mind boggling debate. A very robust article in this issue “Dental Professionalism: perceptions of undergraduate students,” may help build an understanding of how our undergraduate students perceive professionalism.
Professor Haroon Shahid Qazi