Lest we think dentistry is about office design and case presentation and taxes and technology and techniques, dentistry is about how much you care. Here is a letter to you from one of your patients:
I am not a member of the dental field, or do I expect to be. I am however, ‘Ms. Everybody’ who religiously makes three trips a year to my periodontist and two to my general practitioner. I have only had very basic dental work done over the years, one crown and many large fillings. As I age, I am in greater need of the services provided by this industry, which makes me a little nervous.
I am writing to Oral Health/Dental Practice Management Magazine, in spite of them being magazines for trained dental professionals, in order to say a great BIG Thank You to all of you in the field. When I was a little girl, I had a fear of dentists due to an incident of dental work being done with no attempt to make me comfortable or to sedate me in order to ensure a relaxed experience. How far dentistry has come in 40 or so years!
I recently consulted with my general practitioner regarding a sore tooth and was truly amazed and delighted at the time he took to talk me through my possible case scenario, which involved a referral to an Endo specialist. He answered every question clearly and competently, even going as far as explaining the possible worst case scenario (without scaring me). He gave me a brief history of the specialist he referred me to, as well as informed me that he was himself a patient of this person. I am most grateful for his time and effort to educate me on the process and to allay my fears, especially in light of a story told to me by my Mother-in-Law just a few days prior to my visit to him.
As a new Scottish bride in the early 1950s whose husband was away in the Navy, she made a trip to her dentist to remedy a cracked front tooth. Upon arrival, she became suspicious to see a doctor in attendance with the dentist, but pushed her fears aside and hoped that her trust in this ‘professional’ would be worth it. The dentist did not discuss her case with her, or give her possible case scenarios of how best to treat her situation, but gave her gas immediately. She believed he would repair the tooth and all would be well when she came to, but discovered upon waking that all her top teeth were removed! She was aghast…what would her husband think coming home to a young, toothless bride?? She managed to consult with another dentist who immediately followed up with the treating dentist only to discover that he had lost his nerve to treat patients and required the doctor to attend while he removed the teeth instead of fixing the presented problem. Needless to say, this dentist lost his license immediately.
Nowadays, with all the governing bodies and patients’ rights, we can make a trip to our dentist with the utmost confidence of receiving an informed diagnosis with much patient involvement. To be treated so kindly and thoughtfully rather than as the next dollar sign that walks into the dental office is most refreshing and reassuring. Thank you again to all dentists and specialists who follow these guidelines and make ‘Ms. Everybody’s’ trip to you as comfortable and informed as possible. It’s better than having your car serviced (although they, too, are attempting to improve their customer service) dentistry is much further ahead.
A. M. Smith, Newmarket, ON
