Saturday, December 21, 2013

Dentistry iQ released their annual 100 Tips from 100 Experts. Dr. Lisa Knowles, a featured communication expert, addresses the need for non-judgmental dental care. "Many people avoid the dentist because of fear. The traditional fear factor of dentistry is well known, but the fear of being judged is often overlooked and underdiscussed," said Knowles. 

"Many of my patients are embarrassed to show me their mouth history. They start the conversation by telling me why they have not been into the dentist's office. Often it is a financial factor, and they do not want to tell me they did not use their resources to help pay for regular dental care. We try and help them save face by addressing these concerns right away; we put them at ease for whatever reason they give us for not coming in regularly," continued Dr. Knowles. "It's not my place to judge their reasoning. One time I made the mistake of doing this when a patient told me she was going to go to Disneyland with her three kids. I asked myself how she could afford to go to Disneyland yet not afford to get her child's teeth restored. I found out later the Make a Wish Miracle Network was paying for their trip. I felt like a complete jerk. I never made that mistake again, and we teach our team to accept the patient for where they are right now. We can educate them, and help them prioritize their teeth, but it will likely not happen in just one visit. Judging them and shaming them only prolongs their education opportunities to learn to value their teeth."

According to the CDC, one-fourth of U.S. adults aged 65 or older have lost all of their teeth. www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/doh.htm

"I believe some of the 25% referenced were too ashamed to go to the dentist when they needed to, and our profession can always work to better serve the needs of everyone--without judgement," explained Knowles.