Q. If a dental hygienist notices that a dentist forgot to put on a fresh pair of gloves between patients, would it be okay for her to say something to the dentist (in front of the patient)? What would be the best way to solve this problem? The dentist has done this on occasion before.
A. I have experienced this in my hygiene career and sometimes it is a careless dentist (or other staff member) and sometimes it is an honest mistake. A couple of ways I have handled this are -
1. said nothing that would alert the patient and handed them a new pair of gloves prior to them getting into the mouth
2. asked them if I could speak to them for a minute outside the room and let them know
3. just made eye contact with the Dr. and pointed to the gloves on their hands to jog their memory
4. held out the box of gloves at them
(I have attempted to do all of these behind the patients head or at least out of the line of site, because who wants to be shown their wrong in front of the patient or staff)
If you think it is a ongoing problem and you feel that the dentist will get upset or be offended, you might opt to hold onto the mirror and explorer (so they can't do the exam) until you see they have changed their gloves and if they haven't, hand them gloves first and then the instruments.Or maybe leave a new set of gloves on top of the instruments on the tray so they can't get to the instruments without seeing them.
If this is a constant obvious problem and their are copious amounts of other "dirty" offenses you might see if you can make some positive changes in the practice or find a different practice to work in. Honestly, I graduated 15 years ago and alot has changed, so if the Dr. you are working for is older they may just not know about the newer protocols. There is an awful lot of new information to take in all the time, but basic cleanliness is an issue that cannot be compromised since some medically compromised patients could be severly affected....Not only are you able, but you must address the issue for everyone's safety. After all, if dirty gloves are going into a patient's mouth, what else are they touching the bathroom doorknob? (that you are going to end up touching with your bare hands?)
Good luck + hope that helps!
JAMRDH -a dental hygienist
1. said nothing that would alert the patient and handed them a new pair of gloves prior to them getting into the mouth
2. asked them if I could speak to them for a minute outside the room and let them know
3. just made eye contact with the Dr. and pointed to the gloves on their hands to jog their memory
4. held out the box of gloves at them
(I have attempted to do all of these behind the patients head or at least out of the line of site, because who wants to be shown their wrong in front of the patient or staff)
If you think it is a ongoing problem and you feel that the dentist will get upset or be offended, you might opt to hold onto the mirror and explorer (so they can't do the exam) until you see they have changed their gloves and if they haven't, hand them gloves first and then the instruments.Or maybe leave a new set of gloves on top of the instruments on the tray so they can't get to the instruments without seeing them.
If this is a constant obvious problem and their are copious amounts of other "dirty" offenses you might see if you can make some positive changes in the practice or find a different practice to work in. Honestly, I graduated 15 years ago and alot has changed, so if the Dr. you are working for is older they may just not know about the newer protocols. There is an awful lot of new information to take in all the time, but basic cleanliness is an issue that cannot be compromised since some medically compromised patients could be severly affected....Not only are you able, but you must address the issue for everyone's safety. After all, if dirty gloves are going into a patient's mouth, what else are they touching the bathroom doorknob? (that you are going to end up touching with your bare hands?)
Good luck + hope that helps!
JAMRDH -a dental hygienist
What is the difference between a dentist and an oral surgeon?
Q. So I went to the dentist last week and they told me I have to see an oral surgeon because the tooth is curved or something like that. What is the difference? Also will they do anything different to pull the tooth or do they just have different tools to use? I'm confused, someone please tell me the difference.
BTW it's to get a tooth pulled.
When you say general anesthesia do you mean just the regular needle they give you in the gum or do you mean they would have to put me to sleep, because I really don't want to be put to sleep.
BTW it's to get a tooth pulled.
When you say general anesthesia do you mean just the regular needle they give you in the gum or do you mean they would have to put me to sleep, because I really don't want to be put to sleep.
A. A dentist does general work like cavities, crowns, root canals, etc.
And oral surgeon is more educated and perform surgeries such as removing wisdom teeth and things like that. (more complicated procedures.)
I'm not to sure at all but if it is extremely curved the oral surgeon many have to cut the gum and give you stitches, normal dentist don't do that. Blah, I hope i didn't scare you. And sorry if i am wrong.
And oral surgeon is more educated and perform surgeries such as removing wisdom teeth and things like that. (more complicated procedures.)
I'm not to sure at all but if it is extremely curved the oral surgeon many have to cut the gum and give you stitches, normal dentist don't do that. Blah, I hope i didn't scare you. And sorry if i am wrong.
What was the black stuff the dentist put on my canker sore?
Q. I went to the dentist and told them about my canker sore before they started the cleaning. They put something on my canker sore that hurt like hell but after the sting, it never hurt again and was healed in a few days. I want to know what they put on my canker sore.
A. My guess would be silver nitrate, it can be used to cauterize a canker sore and can result in turing the skin temporarily black. If you're really wanting to know, I would call your dentist's office and just ask...they should have no problem with telling you and it's your right to know as a patient.
Dentist and the malpractice insurance they are required to carry. What is lawsuit protocol?
Q. I am in medical malpractice settlement negotiations with a dentist. Her insurance company was handling the negotiations, then the dentist license expired and the insurance company dropped the dentist. The dentist obtained a new policy from a new insurance company. Now the original insurance company has dropped out of negotiations. Is it possible that the original insurance company wants me to file suit against the dentist, and then the new insurance company will have to defend the dentist? Or, because the first insurance company received the initial settlement letter with notice of intent to sue, they will have to carry on and defend the dentist even though they no longer have the dentist as a client. Please clarify the typical procedure in this type of situation. Thanks a million! N.
Thanks for the info. I do have an attorney. But I do not want to sue and want to settle. The original insurance Co. made an offer, then we countered..then the Ins Co. dropped the dentist, and did not responded to the counter offer. SO, of course the attorney wants to sue cause he will make the big bucks. I want to settle because we were on track to settle. I just can't figure why the original insurance company would want to go to court unless they really don't care one way or another because the dentist is no longer a concern to them in the long run??? Tks. for you input.
Thanks for the info. I do have an attorney. But I do not want to sue and want to settle. The original insurance Co. made an offer, then we countered..then the Ins Co. dropped the dentist, and did not responded to the counter offer. SO, of course the attorney wants to sue cause he will make the big bucks. I want to settle because we were on track to settle. I just can't figure why the original insurance company would want to go to court unless they really don't care one way or another because the dentist is no longer a concern to them in the long run??? Tks. for you input.
A. You definitely need an attorney to work through this now. The dentist and the insurance company have dealt with you in bad faith. The insurance company probably did hope that you'd just go away. You aren't going to be able to fight this on your own, unfortunately. It's hard to say, without specialized knowledge of the laws in your area, to know who is responsible--the dentist, the old insurance company, or the new insurance company. Find a malpractice attorney who will work on contingency--don't pay an attorney anything up front.
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