Compassionate Care Starts with Active Listening
Anyone who knows me, or has heard me speak at dental conferences, knows how much credit I give my team for being the absolutely best in the business. My presentations are full of examples of how my dental hygienists and dental assistants contribute to the success of our practice on a patient-by-patient basis. Lauren’s compassionate attention to one of our favorite patients last week resulted in treatment for a painful condition and exemplifies the importance of active listening by dental professionals.
Lauren Makes a Difference
Lee came to us as an emergency patient years ago, when she broke a front tooth. Even after she moved to Boone, she continues to commute to Greensboro to keep us as her dental home. Earlier this month, she visited us for a scheduled radiographic evaluation, and Lauren noticed that when Lee opened her mouth to place the sensor, her jaw popped. Lauren asked her several questions and found out this was causing pain, and Lee’s jaw sometimes locked when she opened wide. They discussed the seemingly random nature of the occurrence of the condition. Lauren explained that stress was a factor in grinding or clenching of teeth. Lee shared that she had recently started college classes and her stress level was no doubt going to increase as a result. Lauren suggested that wearing a bite splint could help stop Lee’s jaw from popping, and also prevent any chipping of teeth due to stress-induced grinding. Lee was very pleased to finally address this condition which she thought was just something she would just have to live with, and to discover that prevention involved a fairly simple and inexpensive fix.
My appreciation of my exception dental team
Thank you to Lauren, and every member of my team for carefully observing, listening and truly caring about the aspects of our patients’ lives outside of the office that could impact their overall health and comfort.
