Dentaltown September 2019 - 44

message board

can't spend all day with any patient, but I don't think taking our cues from medicine in brevity
of discussion is a great path to follow. Just one guy's opinion. ■
7/2/2019

randy9798
Member Since: 12/06/17
Post: 32 of 46

Unfortunately, insurances have brought down quality of care. The guise of insurance is
that it would increase access to people. What ended up happening is that the fees dropped so
low that most providers have to do volume business. When you are fairly compensated for most
procedures, it is easier to spend more time with patients. I agree with you that it would be great
if we could spend more time educating our patients. That unfortunately is not the economic
reality most of us work under. ■
7/2/2019

lindadouglas
Member Since: 06/09/06
Post: 33 of 46

Even with time constraints, the time spent on patient education is a necessary investment
to impart understanding of the rationale for treatment, which facilitates compliance with treatment plans, self-care and future long-term regular attendance for maintenance (which is also
crucial for practice building). The hygienist should do most of this, and the entire team needs
to participate to reinforce the message.
There are also many great videos on YouTube with animations that help patients understand their condition and the needed treatment in one to two minutes to enhance our
communication with them. Without this step, our treatment is futile, and also increases our
chances of losing patients.
I learned about root planing in hygiene school, defined as curetting the root after calculus
removal to remove diseased cementum and endotoxin, and achieve a glassy-smooth root surface.
But by the time I graduated in 1982, that was already passé, and just calculus removal was
considered sufficient for healthy outcomes. I figured that the term "root planing" has persisted
because it is still included in the insurance procedure codes for nonsurgical perio treatment, but
I didn't think anyone actually root-planes anymore, just calculus removal followed by disruption
of biofilm with fine ultrasonic inserts.
I am just happy to get all of the calc off, never mind that foolishness of curetting an alreadyclean root with vertical, horizontal and diagonal strokes! I never did get how a Gracey would
even have enough space in a pocket to maneuver like that, anyway. ■
7/6/2019

Chmrb
Member Since: 02/25/17
Post: 34 of 46

All my SRP patients get a tutorial on periodontal disease along with a side-by-side review
of at least one bitewing to show them the calculus and bone loss. I go so far as to draw lines
on the bitewings indicating where the bone level is now and where it should be. Heck, I might
even pull up a Google image of a perio-free bitewing so they can compare. And they also get a
demonstration of how to properly brush and a video demonstrating proper flossing. All of it gets
done in layman's terms. ■

7/6/2019

Post your questions that need answers!
Townies who frequent the message boards are always game to share their thoughts-
if you've got a question, head to dentaltown.com/messageboards and ask away! Just
like "Goldenrose," you're bound to receive lots of helpful feedback from your peers.

SEPTEMBER 2019 // dentaltown.com

http://www.dentaltown.com/messageboards http://www.dentaltown.com

Dentaltown September 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown September 2019