Embarrassed by their oral health? How to help people feel less awkward at the dentist, whatever the reason why
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 23rd December 2022
A patient you’ve not seen for a while, or a new one who admits it’s been “years” since they visited the dentist, may give the reason as being embarrassed about the “state of their teeth”. Even if they’ve reached the point of no return where the pain is now unbearable, the destruction of the dentition is visible, or they’re worried by a lump that hasn’t gone away – they could still be terrified of feeling judged.
The number-one job of every practice team is to ensure all patients know they are their partner in a lifetime of oral health. Achieving this common goal can only be possible when there is understanding and empathy. Most of us have seen – and heard! – it all. The media bombards us with images of perfect teeth, and this can be inhibiting, but no matter the problem, we’re here to help. Taking care of people, so that they leave feeling good about themselves and motivated in better habits is a source of satisfaction for all DCPs.
There are lots of other reasons why patients feel awkward at the dentist, which can become a barrier to good relationships and partnerships. Cost is one, for example, if someone would love to go ahead with treatment, but doesn’t think they can afford it. Payment plans can give people the choice to access the care they want. Ensure everyone who could be asked about payment plans knows the details, or who to pass a query on to. Written information must be clear, concise, comprehensive and readily available.
You may also have patients who are in good oral health, but have a cosmetic problem that annoys them. Perhaps they feel it’s too small to be bothering you with. Should they feel embarrassed about wanting dentistry for aesthetic reasons? Definitely not, because taking positive action to improve their smile could boost their confidence, sense of wellbeing and make them happier. The potential ongoing benefits to physical, social and emotional health from cosmetic dental treatments are money-can’t-buy and often life-changing. Also, after they’ve made the investment, they’ll be motivated to keep the result beautifully maintained, with your help.
A patient who dislikes their discoloured teeth may have bought a whitening kit online and, either because the results are underwhelming or they had a bad experience, they could be reluctant to tell you. When there is trust, they’ll feel more comfortable with full disclosure. In return, you’ll give them practical tips about how to improve the colour of the teeth without spending a lot of money and protect against further staining. Professional whitening treatment may not be as expensive as they think, though, especially if they spread the cost with a payment plan. For added value, they’ll get customised care, delivered safely.
“Is it going to hurt? Can I listen to music, or bring someone in with me?” – these can be awkward questions to ask. A survey has found that half the UK population are still fearful about visiting the dentist and, since Covid, there will be those nervous of close physical contact with strangers.[i] Anticipate these issues by talking about what you offer, to help people stay calm or distract them during treatment. Make it clear that they are in control, as sometimes feeling out of control is the root cause of anxiety. Go through your infection control protocols, too.
Patients may also have questions about something they have read online. The internet is full of many non-evidence-backed tips to improve oral health, also attention-grabbing headlines that do not reflect the complex research that inspired them. Self-diagnosis is another feature of the internet age, but with good relationships and conversations, you can put people’s minds at ease. If they’re worried, they should not delay a professional examination. You should let them know it’s OK to talk to you about something they’ve read – even from a dubious source – also about issues that affect their general as well as oral health, such as smoking cessation and nutrition.
They should feel comfortable admitting to not cleaning as well as they should. Patients can be liberal with the truth when it comes to flossing, but interdental brushing using a brush that is the right size for each space is effective, and easy to master compared to string floss. TANDEX do a range of interdental tools, including the WOODI made from sustainably-sourced birchwood, that you can demonstrate during your consultations.
There are various reasons people can feel embarrassed at the dentist, not just “bad” teeth. A patient feeling too intimidated to discuss a problem bothering them, or something they’ve seen online, or finances – these are barriers to oral health. Good relationships are always the solution, as the gateway to trust and to feeling comfortable enough to ask about anything.
For more information on Tandex’s range of products,
visit https://tandex.dk/ or visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TandexUK
Our products are also available from CTS Dental Supplies https://www.cts-dental.com/ and DHB Oral Healthcare https://dhb.co.uk/
Author Kimberley Lloyd- Rees on behalf of Tandex
Kimberley graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2010, where she now works as a clinical tutor in Dental Hygiene and Therapy as well as working in practice. She has spent her career working across a variety of specialist private and mixed dental practices, for the MOD and volunteering her time to a dental charity in Nepal.
[i] Statistics from www.DentalPhobia.co.uk accessed September 2022.
