Western medicine evolved specifically to treat the pregnant, unwell, the sick, even the dying. If you were reasonable healthy the medicos were not overly interested in seeing you.
However, there is a modern push to apply medical concepts towards being as healthy as possible rather than focus on only treating sickness. Certainly with my dentistry we always aim to aim for optimum health to guard, or best prepare against, a potential disease state. Be that gum disease, decay, oral cancers, bruxism or TMJ issues to name a few. I will take my patients, if they are "on board", to that level of health that is what I would want for myself or my family members . But it goes beyond dentistry. I have accumulated quite a bit of knowledge in the general medicine and alternative medicine. Also being a bit of a "fitness freak" and sportsman I have also had to learn a fair amount of knowledge in treating or preventing physical injuries in sport. I have informally studied naturopathic medicines and concepts towards some of the common ailments. I am considered "a registered practitioner" with Metagenics Australia. Although I don't "push" this knowledge on anyone, I do like sharing those understandings with anyone who asks a question of me. This is how I learn. Research subjects someone may ask about and discuss them back. However, I am a advocate of the scientific process at all time. This means scientific studies and analysis, especially double blind studies and meta-analysis are mandatory before any information is deemed valid. Simple "hear say" information or poorly researched media information is never a good enough source of knowledge.
