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Issues & People

From the Chairside: I don’t grind my teeth!!

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This post is authored by Dr. Mona Shoman, Calgary, AB

I’ve never understood why patients get SO offended when you tell them you see signs of grinding. We are not accusing you of being a serial killer or cheating on your wife. Why are you getting defensive?

All dentists know the classic signs of bruxism such as wear facets, attrition, craze lines, and depending on the severity, possible abfraction lesions and shortened, flat clinical crowns. Some of us look for the signs a lot closer than others, and I believe continuing education has a lot to do with that. Unfortunately, patients don’t like to hear it.

It’s prompted me to think about some aspects of our profession. You know what I think it is? People see us as “scam artists”!

As crazy as it may sound, they compare us to car mechanics and the plumbers. They don’t know or understand what we are seeing, so they have to believe us. Sadly, someone along the way may have taken advantage of them, and they are cautious now. For example, I hear patients coming to my office telling me about how they “got a root canal on a tooth that didn’t need it”, or they have all these crowns and don’t know why. I’m not sure what to make of these complaints and comments, but it is a great conversation opener for the dental community.

Now, of course, we are all different with respect to levels of education, continuing education courses and interest as well as patience. However, we are all good at taking time to explain circumstances to patients, answer their questions, show them what we are talking about. As an example, I always try to use X-rays, models, intra-oral photos and even a program on my iPad that plays video explanations to patients so they can understand what is happening in the mouth.  Maybe this isn’t enough? Perhaps, patients are nodding their heads in agreement, or nodding in confusion, or nodding because they just want the appointment to be over to leave.

It comes down to this.  Are we professionals who are perceived as having integrity?

Integrity is really what every patient wants in health care providers. They want to put their trust in us, take our word for face value, and believe we have their best interests in mind. They want to speak about us when we are not there saying “oh my dentist is amazing. I will never switch”. Patients want to see us as honest, and feel like we are treating them the same way we treat our families. They want to say “my dentist recommended I get this done, so I have an appointment next week” without hesitation, doubt, questioning or misunderstanding. Just like we see on television!

However, sometimes it can be problematic. Perhaps at times, there is a struggle between making financial gains and being ethical? All of the dentists I know have high morals, are extremely diligent, trustworthy and respectable. I personally look up to many, and they may not even be older than me. I admire honesty and integrity. I respect speaking the truth, telling patients they have nothing wrong with their teeth when that is the case. I like sleeping with a clear conscience.

Let’s look at, finally, a different type of integrity within the dental community. Let’s lift one another, not cut each other down. I won’t preach perfection and golden standards, but I will say that in my 11 years of practice I have never commented negatively about another dentist to a patient. I believe that some patients do not understand the whole story, may misinterpret or misconstrue information. Going one step further, I don’t believe it is appropriate to lie to a patient – if you see a filling that needs to be redone inform the patient but in a diplomatic manner. Let’s not judge the other practitioner because at the end of the day, we don’t know the whole scenario or circumstances involving the treatment.

Similarly, if you see good dentistry done by another dentist, let the patient know. This elevates us as a profession. One dentist saying great things about another dentist will help correct the  negative stigma about our community.

1 Comment

  1. Dr. Vasant Ramlaggan September 30, 2016

    Thanks for the post!

    I really appreciate your comments on past dental experiences and how to approach them. Although I try my best to be positive, I know that we all need a reminder to be clear and as positive as possible in our communications with patients AND our own teams.

    I know that great dentist-patient communication not only relies on our education, is also relies on understanding that not everyone communicates in the same way: Visual, auditory, kinaesthetic differentiation is just one way to categorize learning approaches. Getting CE on personality types and approaches can help patients not feel like they’re being sold things.

    Using information sheets and consents to treatment can aid in the discussion as well!

    Thanks again for your great post!

    Reply

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