Dentaltown April 2014 - (Page 103)

hygiene and prevention message board Untreated Perio Treating a patient who wasn't properly treated by her previous dentist. What should this hygienist do? Hygienetown.com > Message Boards > Etiology and Diagnosis > Periodontal Disease > Untreated Perio My mother is visiting from out-of-state and yesterday I cleaned her teeth. Numerous 5mm pockets, subgingival calculus seen on X-rays and bone loss into furcations on molars. Mom has never had SRP and was told at her last visit six months ago that everything looked good. She has been seeing this dentist for years. Naturally, I'm displeased at this situation and am completely at a loss as to why a case this bad would go by the wayside. I'm not interested in legal ramifications or getting angry at anyone. What I'm worried about is how a severe case like this could go unnoticed, and the fact that the subgingival deposit present in my mom's mouth was staggering. She said that it "felt different" after her cleaning because she could "feel the cracks in between my teeth" and that after her last cleaning her teeth felt the same, but she figured it was just how her teeth were." It bothers me knowing there might be more people like my mom out there not getting cleaned completely and having their periodontal condition deteriorate without even knowing about it. I'd like to write the dentist a letter because I figured he should know this is going on in his practice, so I'm looking for a tactful way to bring this to his attention without putting him on the offense (according to my mother, the people in his office are "uppity".) I don't want to disrespect our profession or throw anyone under the bus, but if this is going on, I feel like it needs to be addressed. Thanks in advance! n Cavitron Member Since: 04/24/11 Post: 1 of 12 DEC 23 2011 Yes. This needs to be addressed. A letter stating "I'd like to make you aware that..." is appropriate. n Christadent Member Since: 12/03/06 Post: 2 of 12 DEC 23 2011 I know this is upsetting, but whose responsibility is it that the calculus builds up in the first place? Are you certain that your mother is on top of her oral hygiene habits? Did her comment on the sensation of her teeth mean that she always feels the cracks after a cleaning? If that's the case, they must be doing something. If she'd been going years and years and still has only 5mm pocketing, then they must have been doing cleanings to some extent or she would've been worse off. Bone loss down the furcation is usually 4-5mm of clinical attachment loss. What did her inflammation present as? n Crevicular Member Since: 02/28/13 Post: 3 of 12 DEC 23 2011 Yes, patients need to take responsibility. In reality, it is our professional responsibility to inform and educate. Heavy subgingival calculus seen on X-ray post 6, more care is not only indicative of sub-par treatment but a complacent attitude. Send copy of X-rays along with a nice letter. My mom has been in a similar situation. I have educated her and she is now very outspoken. n coloradordh Member Since: 02/18/05 Post: 4 of 12 DEC 23 2011 It's easy to assume that, but we just don't know what kind of treatment was actually rendered. I have a number of patients on a three-month recall who without failure, come in with new generalized calculus. I've given up trying to educate them and just deal with it. n Crevicular Member Since: 02/28/13 Post: 5 of 12 DEC 23 2011 continued on page 104 dentaltown.com « APRIL 2014 103 http://www.Hygienetown.com http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown April 2014

Dentaltown.com Highlights
Howard Speaks: The Changing Landscape of Dentistry
Professional Courtesy: The Employee Preview
Continuing Education Update
The In Criminal
Smile Design Using Direct Composite
Where to Get Office Manual or Employee Manual, etc.?
Unfreakingbelievable Oral Cancer… You Literally Might Lose Your Appetite (I Did).
24 Ways to Pass Go: Keep the Marriage and Money Police at Bay
Cancer is a Scary Word
Emergency-turned-cosmetic Case
Office Visit: Smile Design with Dr. John Nosti
Corporate Dentistry
Dentaltown Research: Endodontics
New Products/Industry News
Continuing Education: Common Implant Mishaps
What’s New With Hands-free In-Office Communication?
Product Profile: Bayshore Dental Studio
The Hitch With Staff Incentives
Product Profile: Ivoclar Vivadent
Ad Index
Identifying the Office Manager Position
Untreated Perio
Perio Reports
Perio Program Feature: Creating a Perio Program for your Practice
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown April 2014