10 second brushers

I have a problem with 10 second brushers thinking that they are doing a good job of taking care of their teeth because they brush for 10 seconds three times a day. I understand that old habits are hard to break, but some of my patients won't even try to change. They get upset with my telling them that they are really not taking proper care of their teeth. It seems like a loosing battle. I am almost tempted to tell them that if they won't change their brushing regime, they should at least brush with a power toothbrush for the 10 second brushings. I have no idea if this will help them. I would like to do a study and see. I just feel I have to try something.

What do you think?

Watches

I went to Burger King for lunch sometime ago and they were offering a novelty watch for $1.00. I bought one and decided to wear it for the afternoon. That day I had a full book of children. I couldn't believe that every child recognized the action figure on the watch. Some even had the same watch I did. From that point on we were buds. We bonded. They couldn't believe that an adult in a dental office was wearing the same watch they had. Since then I have accumulated over 50 watches. I have sent in box tops, I have bought cat food ( I don't have a cat). I hit all the promotions I could find. I had fun doing it. I have some nice watches as gifts from family, but none of them get noticed as often as my novelty watches. Who knew?


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Family

Is it just my family or yours too. They just don't listen to me when I tell them about either prevention or their perio condition or even restorative work that they sould have. The only area in which I am getting any of them to listen to me is in the area of whitening. This is so frustrating. I love them all, but you think they would give me a little respect.


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Toys

This surprises me every time it happens. Our office has a play area for children. Every couple of months we go through the toys and throw away the ones that are broken or torn. We replenish the toy area with donations from patients and some very good garage sales. We see children on the average of every six months. Some children walk in the door immediately know we have new toys. Some will even ask for the toys we used to have. I can't even remember the color of the walls or carpet of an office I visited six months ago. These five year olds must have something I don't.

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Bonus Program

Today we initiated a bonus program for our office. We all liked the idea of a bonus program but really didn't know if it would be doable with the economy being so slow. I have heard of bonus programs from other offices that were useless because they were so unobtainable. I for one certainly don't mind working a little harder if there is a little bit of a reward for my efforts. This is a total office bonus plan. I think this is good because if we all work a little more we all should reap the benefits. I really am happy that the doctor realizes that without a good hard working staff his gross probably won't go up.


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Fearful patients

I don't know about you but working on fearful patients take it's toll on me. I understand that some of them have been through a lot of dentistry due to previous neglect. I also understand that may carry the scars of previous unpleasant dental experiences. Understanding all of this should make it easier for me to treat these patients, but it doesn't. When a patient sits in my chair and grabs the side arms like they are getting ready for their next unpleasant experience, that raises my blood pressure. I find that the only thing that works for me is to talk them through it, and make sure to compliment them for something, even if it is just keeping the appointment. This seems to work for me.


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Space Cadet Patient

This is weird and thankfully it is a rarity. This patient called to say that I didn't clean ALL of her teeth. She said I missed a few and she wanted her money back. I was surprised and so was the office. I immediately asked them to call her back and tell her I will complete the prophy and clean the teeth she said I missed. She said no she will not return and she wanted her money back. We asked her to come in and at least let us look at the teeth in question. She said no. Some days you can't win for loosing.


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Seems like family

Those of us who have worked in a general practice for many years have seen the kids grow up. Sometimes we even see the kids of the kids in the practice as patient. Sometime these patients seem like family. We have been through the high school and college years with the parents. We have been through the weddings and new births too.
We have some elderly patients who have been coming for many years. Life happens and unfortunately death happens as well. In a Wal-Mart parking lot I met Pete's wife after Pete's death. Pete was fun everytime he came in. I held her and told her how sorry I was to hear of his passing. She began to cry and hugged me hard and then I began to cry too. I told her he was in a better place and we should be happy for that. After we parted I thought about the connection we subconsciously form with patients. Pete was not part of my immediate family, and I only saw him every 6 months, but I really felt her loss.

Die Bitch Die

Before you read this you must understand that my fellow hygienist and I have this problem. If we talk about a chocolate eclair we will have gained 1/4 lb. If we look too long at a napoleon in the bakery, that is an easy 1/2lb. I had this patient this afternoon. She is the mother of 3 and is pencil thin. She confided in me that she just can not gain weight. She has tried and tried and she is has not been successful. I told her that there are a number of good weight gaining products available and she should consult with her doctor to find out the best one for her. When she left the office I immediately called my friend and told her what happened. She was silent on the other end of the phone for so long I became worried. In a deep throat voice she then said "Die Bitch Die." Can you relate to any of this?


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Late Patients

Did you ever have a day when EVERY patient was late? I have and I came home exhausted. I felt liked I had worked 2 days. Because the economy is down. We try not to send them home. Some do have new construction sites as an excuse, but some patients just stroll in. I have to compromise on patient education and other services along the way, just to stay afloat. I just would like to tell them in a nice way, next time please be on time.


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Great Tip

Who has not had sore throbbing hands after a challenging day at the office. I was talking to a chiropractor fiend of mine and he said to cut a soft small ball (2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter) in half and squeeze half of the ball in your hands. This seems to work better than a full ball and will work the small muscles that we use in instrumentation much better. Who knew?


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Ultimate Question

Have you ever extracted a tooth that was unbelievably loose while you were scaling and root planing? That happened to a friend of mine. I have almost extracted teeth that were way beyond class three mobility, and I have also scaled teeth that I had to stabilize with my fingers. I think the patients were not ready to give up on them. I think we have to gently discuss the patients feelings about recommended extractions. I think there just is a time to just let them go.



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Continuing Ed

I met a former hygienist who is now in her 80's. She said that the whole time she was practicing hygiene she never took a course to update her skills or knowledge of periodontal disease. She said at the time, it wasn't required. She prided herself on practicing the exact same way for over 30 years. How sad. If this isn't a vote for continuing ed requirements, I don't know what is.



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Amazing

I had this patient who really wanted to whiten her teeth. She did not have the fiances to do in office whitening, or even the home disposable whitening trays. She was very determined. This is something she really wanted to do. As life happens, I did not see her for about two years. When she came in again, her teeth were dazzeling. I could not help but ask her what she used. She said she used a whitening tooth paste every morning and night for about two years, and it worked. She said she was VERY faithful. It too about two months for her to notice a huge difference. I was amazed not only at her dedication, but at her amazing results.

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Third Molars

I don't know about you, but I really have a hard time cleaning the distal of third molars. Even when patients have good hygiene and have room for them, the distal is still tough for them to clean. Power brushes and junior toothbrushes help, but cleaning 3Rd's is a constant battle for the patient as well. They really have to stay focused. I think in all the years I have been practicing, I can count on one hand the patients who I felt did a good job of cleaning the distal of thirds.

What do you think?

Front Desk

To be front desk personal, I am convinced you have to learn to work with your hands, mouth, and head all at the same time. That is the way it seems with Pam. She is constantly on the phone with patients, looking up information for them, and in general doing a dozen things at once. I heard her handle a patient who was in a tirade because his statement was $1.50 more than he thought he should pay. She kept her cool. Good for her. I don't know about you, but please hand me my scaler.


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What's love got to do with it?

I have this patient named Rodger. He has no front teeth. He is a man about 55 years old. For years I have been telling him to get some front teeth. He can easily afford it. For some reason it just didn't happen. Rodger's 80 year old mother would ask me to talk to Rodger about his missing front teeth. I assured her that I was trying my best.

On one appointment, Rodger came in and ASKED ME about getting his front teeth replaced. I just about fell down on the floor. Rodger said that he now has a girl friend and she has refused to go out with him until he gets some front teeth.
What's love got to do with it? Plenty.


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School Presentation

If you have never gone to a pre-school or an elementary school to do a presentation on brushing teeth, you haven't lived. It is so much fun and you will have so many laughs. Kids are so funny. Keep it short and have them brush their teeth for you. If you can give some give aways great. If not, bring a picture of a large tooth and have them draw a healthy tooth with no sugar bugs and a sick tooth, with lots of sugar bugs. Bring some new crayons if you can. Two or three crayons per child is enough. I don't know what it is about new crayons, but it is a turn on. Try it and let me know how it went.


What do you think?

Brothers

When I can, I take two or three young children into the treatment room. It is called modeling. I learned it in school. It helps the younger children to be less fearful of the what will happen to them during their appointment time. It works. Sometimes the younger one can't wait to get into the dental chair to get his "turn'.

I had two boys, one five and one three. I started with the five year old. I asked him what his name was and he told me Chris. I asked him what his brother's name was and he told me he didn't know. I was shocked. I guess in the three years his brother has been living, it has never come up. Strange.


What do you think?

Fred

Every hygienist should have a patient they look forward to seeing every 6 months. For me that is Fred. He is so happy all the time. He is always doing funny things and sharing his experiences with me. He is the kind of person who just lets life happen. I really could learn from him. His hygiene is A1. He is really concerned about his teeth. He sees them as his best asset. It is so much fun to have these happy people on your book. Fred always comes after work, so throughout the day it gives you something to look forward to. Are you that lucky to have a Fred?


What do you think?