Friday, December 7, 2012

Do dentists notice any differences when working with stoned patients?

Q. I am curious about this because I am wondering what dentists would wonder if they had patients who come in who are stoned. The dry mouth may make things easier for them, even though that is not the patients' intent. I am not planning on going to a dentist's office stoned; I am just curious.

A. Yes, the dentist will notice if you are stoned. They will also usually refuse to do any dental work on you as a result, as well. You are technically not of clear mind, so can't really give informed consent to things. And no, the dry mouth doesn't make it easier for them. The mouth is supposed to be bathed in saliva, which helps limit germs. You'd be a bigger infection risk, and likely not heal as easily or well. If a dentist needs things dry, he/she will use a rubber dental dam to isolate the area. They still want the rest of the mouth moist.


How will DENTISTS be affected by Universal Healthcare?
Q. Will it be good for dentists? Will it be bad? Will dentists make less money? Will dentists make more money? Or will universal healthcare only affect medical doctors? Because dentists have private practices, which means the government doesnt pay their salary. However, the government pays medical doctors salaries. Any clue on how universal healthcare would affect a DENTIST?

A. It would be bad for dentists. When a Medicaid patient sees the dentist, they get paid about 50 cents on the dollar, at best. Some procedures pay 25 cents on the dollar. That is why so few dentists don't accept Medicaid. If they did, they couldn't stay in business. It wouldn't cover their overhead costs and they would lose money. So, think about that expaning. Any Universal Healthcare program certainly won't pay more than current government sponsored healthcare.


Is it really mandatory for dentists to check for cavaties after getting your teeth cleaned?
Q. Ok so after you get your teeth cleaned by the dentists helper, the dentists comes in with his little metal tool and pokes your teeth to see if you have any cavaties. Is that step really mandatory, or can you skip that and just have your teeth cleaned?

A. We have people come in all the time who just want the hygienist to clean their teeth. They don't want X-Rays or an examination by the dentist. A quick notation in their chart that they requested no exam and no X-rays, they sign it....and off they go. Just need to make sure they knew they were not getting an Exam, Assessment, Treatment Plan or anything other than a scraping and polishing.
Some offices might not do this, but it certainly is not mandatory. They can spend their money however they want.


How do dentists deal with nervous children?
Q. Dentists: If you have ever had any child patients who were extremely nervous and refused to cooperate with you to have their teeth worked on, how did you handle it? Were you successful in getting them to allow you to work on their teeth? What about if they scream when you inject the novocaine?

A. I work with the Dental Therapist (Hygienist and children's dentist) and we get so many children - it seems to be very hit or miss with children as most of them are really chilled out and happy to co-operate and then receive their sticker. On the other hand....there is the nightmare children who just will refuse everything and anything.

Trying to work with nervous children is like trying to coax a cat out a hole!! You need a lot of patience and also come across extremely calm, keep reassuring them and also let them see everything (obvs not the needle) that your going to use. Most of the time I can talk the child into getting the treatment done by showing them what i'm using. They feel important and want to act like adults when you speak to them like one so it works well. If a child is to out of control they have to leave, never force them to get work done or it will give them a phobia of the dentist.





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