Re: Dental Problems forum at HealthBoards.com

Thursday, July 20, 2006

For about two months, I was a regular contributor to the Dental Problems forum at HealthBoards.com. People would post questions seeking help and advice on common dental problems. Because I have experience and knowledge in the dental profession, I would post practical, useful advice to those seeking help for common dental problems.

One day, a member of the board asked me about whether or not I worked in dentistry because of the help I had given her. I replied and told her that I have been involved with dentistry for the past 16 years as a Certified Dental Assistant. Later that day, I went to log back in and discovered I was banned from the board for seven days. What did I do wrong? I had no idea, so I sent an email to the administrator.

This was my email:

Hi,

My ID is JenniferE. I went to login this evening and got a message saying that I was banned. Reason: Dental Professional. Ban will be lifted on July 20, 2006. I'm not understanding what it is I did wrong. Could you please explain this to me? I've done nothing but offer advice to people who asked questions since day 1. I've never linked to outside sources and/or my own pages, so I'm not understanding what the problem is. LINDA5ONEFOUR asked me if I was in the dental profession and I explained to her I've been a Certified Dental Assistant for the past 16 years. She asked a question, I answered, and now I'm banned for being active in the dental profession? Please elaborate so that I can rectify the situation immediately.

Thank you,

Jennifer E.

This was their response:

"Dear Jennifer,

Perhaps you did not see it; the rules say this:

Do not register with a healthcare professional title
or reveal or display your past, current or future
healthcare profession. The boards are to be used for
PEER support, only. Healthcare titles lend undue
weight to what is to be only your opinion. Members are
to share health opinions and advice as PEERS.

We deem it the member's responsibility to know and
follow all rules. The rules are enforced.

Thanks for the inquiry,
admin"

I found their reply rather interesting. What they are basically saying is anyone who has any knowledge that could actually help people are forbidden to contribute to the forum. They only want people to participate in the forum who can express their opinions, not facts. Anyone seeking dental advice and answers to common dental questions are only going to get what people think might be the answer to the problem from people who have no actual experience in the dental field. This creates a number of problems because it leads to misinformation. People looking for help, really aren't getting it. Those people who have training and knowledge in the dental profession are forbidden to participate on the board.

This post is meant only as a heads up to those seeking dental advice and who have come across the Dental Problems forum at HealthBoards.com. If you post looking for answers, if you receive replies to your post, they are going to be replies from people who have no training or knowledge in the dental field. The replies will only be about what people have experienced and/or think might be the right answer to help you.

Disclaimer: I am not trying to slander or libel HealthBoards.com in any way shape or form. I am merely stating the facts as they occured, as I know that some of their members do read my blog, and I have no alternative to tell my side of what happened.