Honesty is the best policy!
Posted by Armi Cabero on Wednesday, December 10, 2014
The truth will set us free!
As I was cleaning the teeth of my patient this noon, I was aghast at what I was looking at. His teeth were in bad shape and what I couldn't help noticing was that the filling on this front tooth was too white next to his natural tooth. Because I could not hold my tongue, I told my patient bluntly that his teeth needs to be fixed. I even expressed that these root fragments are no treasure for him to keep so I urged him to have it extracted immediately. I don't know if it was the way I said it or maybe I was just really stating the obvious but he understood what I was saying and nodded along giving me permission to fix his front tooth.
What I don't understand among patients is, "Why are they reluctant to have their teeth checked, cleaned and fixed?" It just gets to me when patients neglect their teeth and rely on our skill to fix the problem. I would like to say, it doesn't work that way, Dear!
So while I was preparing the tooth, I removed the remaining carious lesion and placed a base liner to protect the pulp before color matching. While building up the tooth, I chose DMG Ionosit as base and Ivoclar Composite on top. And yes, the patient fell asleep during the process which was quite a relief. I felt after all these years, I still have not lost touch with my skill.
After building up the tooth, I trimmed the excess composite with a carbide bur and polished it with polishing discs. I tell you, the finished product was more that what we both expected. High gloss finish that reflected the light naturally. It was pure satisfaction on my part to give him a good smile esp this Christmas. When we finished, I asked him why I had him convinced? He replied, " It was your blunt honesty, Dr that made me proceed with the treatment."
When some would beat around the bush, I went straight to stab it with a knife, hitting the heart where it needs most. Sometimes, patients need our honest opinion on what should be done, and what can be done, as long as we do it to the best of our abilities. They don't need camouflage excuses because the thing is, the truth is never overrated!
As I was cleaning the teeth of my patient this noon, I was aghast at what I was looking at. His teeth were in bad shape and what I couldn't help noticing was that the filling on this front tooth was too white next to his natural tooth. Because I could not hold my tongue, I told my patient bluntly that his teeth needs to be fixed. I even expressed that these root fragments are no treasure for him to keep so I urged him to have it extracted immediately. I don't know if it was the way I said it or maybe I was just really stating the obvious but he understood what I was saying and nodded along giving me permission to fix his front tooth.
What I don't understand among patients is, "Why are they reluctant to have their teeth checked, cleaned and fixed?" It just gets to me when patients neglect their teeth and rely on our skill to fix the problem. I would like to say, it doesn't work that way, Dear!
So while I was preparing the tooth, I removed the remaining carious lesion and placed a base liner to protect the pulp before color matching. While building up the tooth, I chose DMG Ionosit as base and Ivoclar Composite on top. And yes, the patient fell asleep during the process which was quite a relief. I felt after all these years, I still have not lost touch with my skill.
After building up the tooth, I trimmed the excess composite with a carbide bur and polished it with polishing discs. I tell you, the finished product was more that what we both expected. High gloss finish that reflected the light naturally. It was pure satisfaction on my part to give him a good smile esp this Christmas. When we finished, I asked him why I had him convinced? He replied, " It was your blunt honesty, Dr that made me proceed with the treatment."
When some would beat around the bush, I went straight to stab it with a knife, hitting the heart where it needs most. Sometimes, patients need our honest opinion on what should be done, and what can be done, as long as we do it to the best of our abilities. They don't need camouflage excuses because the thing is, the truth is never overrated!
Dr Armi is past editor of Dental Asia magazine. After her numerous feats, she returns and handles a private practice in the country and is considered as one of the most respected dental professionals in the dental association.
Now she continues her editorial crusade as Editor in Chief of Dental News Philippines to help empower every Filipino dentist with updated knowledge and skills straight from the "libraries" of renowned authors in the world.
