📸 We're basically the paparazzi of the mouth – we see our patients a lot. Especially, a lot more than any other doctors. So yeah, we absolutely have a responsibility to step up and take responsibility for their overall health. Even when it comes to sensitive stuff like substance abuse.
Imagine a patient with a perfectly healthy mouth suddenly shows up with some gnarly gingival lesions. Your internal red flags might be waving to you about a potential cocaine habit. Or maybe they're super sensitive to pain even after you've hit 'em with the good stuff? Hello, opioid abuse. And those weird, shrunken mucosal changes? That’s often a tell-tale sign of a drinking problem.
When you suspect a substance use disorder, forget about judgment. Our job isn't to play detective, it’s to educate. So just gently focus on explaining on how these habits are wreaking havoc on their oral and overall health. Here’s a fantastic article with detailed clinical scenarios and tips on handling delicate conversations with compassion.
Yeah, having a sensitive conversation with a patient can be super difficult and uncomfortable, especially if they're struggling with anxiety. This 120-minute course can show you how to make appointments feel less intimidating, overcome barriers, and build trust.
Let's lighten the mood a little. Want to know the secret to a stress-free root canal? Just tell your patients their tooth is getting a spa day!
Have you recently read (or watched) something that every oral care professional should know about? Share it with us and we'll share it with everyone in the next Chit-Chat.
You can add your tips to our human-first dentistry archive or send them to hello@curiosity.space. We read and reply to everything, pinky promise. We also accept jokes and funny memes.
Get ready for a Chit-Chat Live bonanza in the last week of July. We mixed and matched 8 experts into 4 interdisciplinary events. The Chit-Chat Week kicks off on Monday, July 28, when a neuroscientist meets a periodontist.
Chit-Chat Week #1: The Brain & The Gums - When Neuroscience Meets Periodontics - July 28th at 7:00 PM Swiss time ⏱️🇨🇭