DENTISTRY

Assignment in Dentistry



Assignment in Dentistry

Introduction

The statement, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” plays a significant role in dentistry as a service providing professional (Dietz, 2000, pp.113). As a dentist practitioner, it requires a lot of effort to make a decent impression on your patient at his/her first visit. In most instances, the patient is feeling anxious about coming to the dentist. Hence, it becomes your duty as the dentist to make them comfortable in the environment, and let them settle down in order to allow you to perform procedures. Many dentists have a practice of sending out get-acquainted material, which helps the patients to feel welcomed during their first visit. The materials could include a new patient packet, newsletter of your dentists' office, map of your office and the parking instructions, office policies and may be the education background and the professional training of the practising dentist (Dietz, 2000, pp.113).

Discussion

Purpose of the Patients' first appointment

The first appointment at the dentist should be welcoming for the patient. The purpose of the patients' first appointment at your practice should not be to receive a dental procedure directly. On the contrary, the focus of the visit should be on creating a long-term relation between the patient and the dentist (Little & Lou, 200, pp. 48-52). As a dentist, you may think of yourself as a CEO of a small business, making the patient comfortable at your practice premises while providing them with optimal quality of health care. You should treat your patients with respect and make sure to cater all their needs. The key to a thriving business is effective communication with your patients, which begins at the very first appointment. The tone of your voice should express care to patients, and offer them the level of trust they require to stay with you (Little & Lou, 200, pp. 48-52).

At the first appointment, anxiety is extremely high, which could hinder your attempt as a dentist to build a healthy relationship with your patient. Even though, not much literature is available on how the dental anxiety affects the life of the patient, it is known to be a barrier to dental care. Various studies indicate the dental anxiety forms a critical hurdle between the patient and their dental care plan (Cohen et al, 2000, pp.385-390). The first appointment should focus on delivering various ways to overcome the anxiety of the patient. The most important factor is to have effective communication skill, which is the prime requirement of the dentists to handle the dental anxiety of their patients. It is a two-way process in which both the dentist and the patient have a vital role. It may seem that you as a practitioner are not doing anything except listening actively to the patient while the patient is doing all the talking describing their symptoms and what to expect from the treatment. However, allowing the patient to talk to you and overcome their fears and anxiety is the ...