Dental Office
Outrage over dental nurses’ ‘anti-patient’ Facebook group
Dr. Smile 18 May, 2008
(6) Comment A group of dental nurses on the social network website Facebook, calling themselves ‘I’m a dental nurse and I hate patients because…’, has angered the General Dental Council (GDC).
Under the heading ‘Group Info’, the group claims it’s ‘Just for fun – Inside Jokes’ and, describing themselves, write: ‘This is a group for dental nurses who are sick of patients and their bad attitudes, their stupid comments, their bad personal hygiene and the way they assume it’s OK to burp in your face.’
It has so far netted 497 members. The GDC has pointed out that posts on the Facebook group, describing patients in derogatory terms, is in breach of GDC’s Standards for Dental Professionals.
The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) recommends that any UK dental nurse who is a member of the group leaves it immediately and deletes any posts they may have made, before the GDC takes action.
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Practising Dentistry? Do You Have a Website?
Dr. Smile 26 April, 2008
(6) Comment Once upon a time, patients would simply attend the dental surgery closest to them whenever they needed treatment. These days this happens less and less frequently. Patients demand the highest standard of treatment at reasonable prices and they are more than happy to shop around for it.
The Internet is a research tool, allowing people to find out all sorts of diverse information from the comfort of their home. Every industry is now embracing its potential, and there are many dentists doing the same thing.
Even a very basic website can carry a great deal of important information. Visitors to the website can see at a glance the location of your practice, directions on how to get there (and perhaps a map), opening times and contact details. Most practices allow contact via email as well as by phone, for patient convenience.
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The Dentist-Patient Relationship II
Dr. Smile 24 March, 2008
(5) Comment 13. How can the dentist help the patient to relate more information or to talk about a certain issue in greater depth?
A communication technique called facilitation by reflection is helpful. One simply repeats the last word or phrase that was spoken in a questioning tone of voice. Thus when a patient says, “I am petrified of dentists,” the dentist responds,
“Petrified of dentists?” The patient usually elaborates. The goal is to go from generalization to the specific fear to the origin of the fear. The process is therapeutic and allows fears to be reduced or diminished as patients gain insight into their feelings.
14. How should one construct suggestions that help patients to alter their behavior or that influence the outcome of a command?
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The Dentist-Patient Relationship
Dr. Smile 24 March, 2008
(3) Comment After you seat the patient, a 42-year-old woman, she turns to you and says glibly, “Doctor, I don’t like dentists.” How should you respond?
Tip: The patient presents with a gross generalization. Distortions and deletions of information need to be explored. Not liking you, the dentist, whom she has never met before, is not a clear representation of what she is trying to say. Start the interview with questioning surprise in your voice as you cause her to reflect by repeating her phrasing, “You don’t like dentists?,” with the expectation that she will elaborate. Probably she has had a bad experience, and by proceeding from the generalization to the specific, communication will advance. It is important to do active listening and to allow the patient who is somewhat belligerent to ventilate her thoughts and feelings. You thereby show that you are different perhaps from a previous dentist who may not have developed listening skills and left the patient with a negative view of all dentists. The goals are to enhance communication, to develop trust and rap port, and to start a new chapter in the patient’s dental experience.
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Oral Complications of HIV Infection
Dr. Smile 23 March, 2008
(4) Comment Hairy leukoplakia is the most common oral lesion (20.4%) in HIV-infected patients. Candidiasis is the next most common lesion (5.8%).
Candidiasis
Oral candidiasis (thrush) often precedes the development of AIDS in HIV-seropositive individuals. The most common form of oral candidiasis is pseudomembranous candidiasis, appearing as white plaques on any oral mucosal surface, which may be as small as 1 to 2 mm or may be widespread. Lesions can be wiped off, leaving an erythematous or bleeding mucosal surface.
The erythematous form of candidiasis appears as smooth red patches on the hard or soft palate, buccal mucosa, or dorsal tongue. Angular cheilitis due to Candida infection produces erythema, cracks, and fissures at the corner of the mouth.
Diagnosis of oral candidiasis is by potassium hydroxide preparation of a smear from the lesion.
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Disinfection and Sterilization
Dr. Smile 25 February, 2008
(5) Comment Sterilization and disinfection are important to prevent the chain of infection in the dental office. The chain of infection is:
- An entrance through which the pathogen may enter the host.
- A susceptible host is one who is not immune or has compromised immunity.
- A sufficient number of pathogens or infection-causing organisms must be present to produce infection. This is called the infectious dose. This varies for different infections or diseases. There must be a reservoir or source that allows the infection agent to survive and multiply (e.g. Blood).
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Guide to Prescription Writing
Dr. Smile 24 February, 2008
(4) Comment 1) Simply because a patient perceives that he or she has not received adequate attention unless a prescription is written is insufficient reason to write one.
2) Obtain an accurate and complete patient history, including whether the patient is taking any drugs prescribed by other doctors or over-the-counter drugs: both can affect the dosage of the drug being prescribed.
3) Use a separate prescription blank for each drug ordered. Avoid using prescription blanks with trade names printed on them. Never presign a prescription blank and always store blank prescription pads in a secure place.
4) Write out numbers rather than using digits so that the prescription cannot be altered in any way.
5) Prescribe sufficient drug at adequate dosing intervals to maintain therapeutic blood level.
6) Review the manufacturer’s date for prescription drugs; changes are made periodically that affect indication for use, dosage or side effects.
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Intravenous (IV) Dental Sedation
Dr. Smile 7 February, 2008
(1) Comment Intravenous (IV) conscious sedation dentistry is a method of performing dental treatments while a patient is in a relaxed state due to administered anesthesia.
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How to become a dentist
Dr. Smile 30 December, 2007
(9) Comment There are different routes to becoming a dentist depending on which the country one lives. In some countries, high school graduates enroll in dental school. Some countries train medical school graduates to specialize in dentistry.
In the United States, dental schools choose top graduates of 4-year colleges for admission to dental school. These college students may choose any major course of study such as mathematics, chemistry, English, Music, or Art History. However, they must take a series of courses or prerequisites to prepare for dental school.
Most prerequisites are science courses, including one year of biology, two years of chemistry, and a year of physics. These courses enable the prospective dental student to understand applied science courses they will encounter in dental school such as pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, and dental materials. Communication is a very important skill for dentists; many dental schools ask that their applicants take at least one semester of a writing intensive humanities or social science course.
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