Who else abuses their patients?

[12YearOldKid]

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I have some patients who just won't shut up!!!. They just keep talking and I can't get anything done. Sometimes I will put the rubber dam on when there is absolutely no reason for it except to shut them up. Or I will ask them to do pointless things like bite on gauze for minutes at a time. Or keep a mouth prop in their mouth. Or keep closed with the slow speed suction in their mouth so it "doesn't get too wet in there."

Am I a horrible dentist? I have one lady who is a great patient - shows up early, pays her bills, lots of work to be done, but she just doesn't stop running her mouth. I know all of her redneck relatives by name... and their ex-spouses... and their pets... and their trucks... and her medical history in intimate, excruciating detail (BTW, she's had three sets of natural teeth - the first two were pretty good but this last set is rotting right out ) I like her even if she is a little bit crazy, but sometimes I just want to CUT SOME TEETH.

It would be great if everyone could share their stories of abuse so I don't feel so bad about myself.

 

[aphistis]

Bite blocks, man. They'll cure what ails you.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Little barbs in the end of the needle also helps. Helps alleviate some stress, anyway.

Nitrous works well also. For you. Not them. 🙂

 

[ItsGavinC]

...nicking the tongue repeatedly with the bur also helps, as does severing papilla. My classmates should stop feeding me all of these ideas.

 

[DrJeff]

Dual arch rubber dam! 👍 😀

 

[3geminal]

You guys are giving me some great ideas. Here I thought I had a time management issue. I find myself getting irritated, slowed down when I'm trying to do something and my patient is jabbering away. I try to to follow what they're saying (out of politeness) and sometimes it makes me screw up what I'm doing.

I think they just don't get it. And then they get mad when it's almost time for them to go and you're not done. Like if they would just shut up and let you work...they might get something resembling quality dentistry.

Anyway, keep them coming.

 

[BDS-DMD]

Rubber dam.

 

[Tzips]

Could always miss and numb their tongue, if you don't mind being sued for causing them pain and anguish (I won't say unecessary )

 

[3geminal]

Actually I wonder if a numb tongue would really work on these people. These people REALLY want to talk!

 

[aphistis]

Could always miss and numb their tongue, if you don't mind being sued for causing them pain and anguish (I won't say unecessary )

Who says you have to miss? Give 'em a Gow-Gates.

 

[786mine]

I have some patients who just won't shut up!!!. They just keep talking and I can't get anything done. Sometimes I will put the rubber dam on when there is absolutely no reason for it except to shut them up. Or I will ask them to do pointless things like bite on gauze for minutes at a time. Or keep a mouth prop in their mouth. Or keep closed with the slow speed suction in their mouth so it "doesn't get too wet in there."

Am I a horrible dentist? I have one lady who is a great patient - shows up early, pays her bills, lots of work to be done, but she just doesn't stop running her mouth. I know all of her redneck relatives by name... and their ex-spouses... and their pets... and their trucks... and her medical history in intimate, excruciating detail (BTW, she's had three sets of natural teeth - the first two were pretty good but this last set is rotting right out ) I like her even if she is a little bit crazy, but sometimes I just want to CUT SOME TEETH.

It would be great if everyone could share their stories of abuse so I don't feel so bad about myself.

makes me wonder why you even bother going to school?

 

[sjdent]

Ahh, the chatty patient. We've all experienced this. I have one memorable lady who talks about playing the cymbals in a symphony until she's blue in the face. I seriously get to wondering, how in bloody HELL do people actually think that other human beings are even somewhat interested in their diatribe??????? It is the most annoying thing about dentistry. It's not about not being a friendly, kind person. It's about wasting someone's valuable time and selfishly talking about yourself NONSTOP!!! I also think some of us have that unfortunate quality of being perceived as "good listeners." Some people are easier to talk to than others.

Anyway, your guess is as good as mine as to how to stop it. Rubber dams are genius. I have gotten to the point that I will actually keep holding my suction in their mouths, even when I am reaching for an instrument or something. ANYTHING to keep their mouth occupied. Or else I will just hold my instruments or handpiece above their mouth.......

 

[OffAngleHatchet]

Dual arch rubber dam! 👍 😀

I fell out of my chair when I read that!

😀

 

[jpollei]

Could always miss and numb their tongue, if you don't mind being sued for causing them pain and anguish (I won't say unecessary )

If you're worried about that, just give 'em the old tongue-ectomy and suture it back on when done for the day. 🙂 I've joked with a couple of my patients about it (always referring to "another patient" that I wish I could do it to)...thus far the results have been favorable in decreasing yap-time.