Friday, August 30, 2013

10 ways to make your patients love (or at least like) you

Recently I was reading this article, 10 reasons I hate the dentist: http://theredheadchronicles.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/10-reasons-i-hate-the-dentist/
None of us want to be hated. So here’s a list of things to prevent just that! And maybe even get your patients to like you!

  1. When your hand is inside the patient’s mouth and you need to ask a question, you could make and give them a ‘yes, no, maybe board’ to point to.
  2. If your patient doesn’t have a good oral hygiene, instead of grueling questions or remarks (that’s not why they came to you!) just guide them with better techniques.
  3. I know the explorer and spoon excavator are basic daily instruments to us, they are not to the patient, so please explain before inserting one in the patient’s oral cavity (‘tell-show-do’ is not just for kids)
  4. Never lie to the patient, “This won’t hurt at all” (you could just say-You may feel some discomfort, try to relax), “Oh I’ve done this a hundred times” (when he is your 2nd guinea pig!). Let the patient make an informed decision and anesthetize well.
  5. If you don’t want the patient to make any sudden movements, inform the patient beforehand to raise the left hand, if in discomfort or pain.
  6. Never work beyond your limitations: Always know when to refer to a specialist.
  7. While working and concentrating on the root canals or the calculus, don’t forget it’s not just a tooth you are working on, but an entire human being.
  8. Do not charge the patient according to his pocket. It will not just bring you negative publicity but you may lose your patient forever.
  9. Do follow proper sterilization protocol, proper hand-washing technique, correct use of gloves and over-gloves.
  10. Last but not the least, understand the psychology of your patient, it is no picnic sitting in a dental chair with your mouth wide open! Be empathetic.

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