Our Methodology
How we calculate consensus and verify expert opinions
DentalNearYou is committed to transparency. This page explains exactly how we gather, verify, and present expert dental opinions.
Core Principles
- Transparency over authority - we show you how, not just what
- Disagreement is valuable - differing expert views are displayed openly
- Credentials matter - only licensed dentists contribute opinions
- No hidden agendas - dentists are not paid for their opinions
How We Select Topics
Topics are selected based on three criteria:
- Search demand - Questions Canadians actually ask about dental care
- Clinical relevance - Topics where expert guidance genuinely helps
- Opinion variation - Questions where dentists may have differing views
We prioritize topics from patient questions, dental forums, and common misconceptions identified by our network dentists.
How We Verify Dentists
Every dentist in our network undergoes verification:
Dentists can only submit opinions after passing verification. Their credentials appear alongside every opinion.
How We Calculate Consensus
The consensus score reflects expert agreement on a topic:
- AGREEDentist agrees with the consensus position (weight: 1.0)
- NUANCEDDentist has conditional agreement (weight: 0.5)
- DISAGREEDentist disagrees with the consensus (weight: 0)
How We Handle Disagreement
Disagreement among experts is valuable information, not a problem to hide:
- All stances displayed - agree, disagree, and nuanced views are all shown
- No "correct answer" imposed - we present expert views, not verdicts
- Context matters - nuanced opinions often explain when exceptions apply
Medicine is complex. We believe showing the full spectrum of professional opinion helps patients have better conversations with their own dentists.
Our Editorial Independence
Trust requires independence. Here's how we maintain it:
Dentists are never compensated for submitting opinions
No pharmaceutical or dental product companies influence content
Being a Partner doesn't affect opinion visibility or placement
Dandan AI summarizes but doesn't edit or filter opinions
Update Policy
Expert opinions and guidelines change. We keep content current:
- 6-month review cycle - all topics reviewed twice yearly minimum
- Guideline triggers - major Health Canada or college updates trigger immediate review
- Change logging - all significant updates recorded in topic history
Every topic page shows its "Last updated" date. You can view the full update history for any topic.