Correct patient information in the dental practice.

More often than not, the dentist is not alone in the practice or clinic where he or she works.

He or she is surrounded by a larger or smaller team of staff with a well-established role in the practice.

This is why, in informing patients and maintaining a permanent dialogue with them, the whole team must participate and ensure a pleasant atmosphere and sessions that are as pleasant as possible for the patient.

The doctor has a moral and legal obligation to be familiar with the techniques and therapeutic options of dentistry.

The patient, on the other hand, in most cases does not have an extensive medical education, so it is necessary to explain to him in his own language, using general or situation-specific terms.

There is a pitfall that the doctor may encounter, and it concerns situations where the patient reads uninformed sources and tries to impose their views on the doctor.

In these situations, the patient must understand that not all sources of information are reliable and that, unfortunately, they can often misinform more than they inform.

In the event of a lack of information or communication between doctor and patient, there is a risk that the relationship between them will become strained, difficult to build solidarity between them, and that after a short time there will be a lack of trust and difficulties in further collaboration.

This can lead to a situation where the patient gives up on treatment before it starts or, worse still, when treatment is almost half way through or even nearing completion.

Few doctors agree to continue dental treatments already started by other dentists.

The success of the treatment depends primarily on the correctness with which it is applied and the individualization according to the patient’s general and oral health.

On the other hand, the success of the treatment also depends on the behavior of the doctor and the patient and therefore on the relationship that results from these interactions.

Communication is the key element, it is a constant that follows the whole treatment, from the stage of the therapeutic plan until the moment it is finalized.

To make sure that the patient understands the treatment plan, the following can be used:

Study models – these are 3D models made of plaster castings that materialize the patient’s oral cavity. The doctor can explain oral pathologies using this model.

Pictures – the doctor can show the patient pictures of earlier similar cases and how they were solved. It is also useful for the doctor to photographically document patients’ cases, especially complex ones.

Mock-up and wax-up – is making wax and composite pastes on the model or directly in the oral cavity to make it easier for the patient to understand what the teeth will look like at the end of treatment.

It is important that all the maneuvers carried out on the patient are recorded in the patient’s chart.

The patient is informed of the procedures to be carried out and then signs the consent form.