krlovesherkids777
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Just thinking about the difference some dental nurses/assistants have made in my care and others that I know.
What makes your dental nurse/assistant great? or not so great?
There have been a few I have really appreciated for sure. And they can make all the difference in a visit where you feel seen , heard and connected somehow at your appt! Much of the time they are the first face you see for your appt. and can really set the tone. That can be good or bad... as well as often times the ones giving the last instructions, prescriptions, etc as you head out the door. So their work is so important and pivotal in care I think!
When I left a dentist 2 years ago due to just declining care on the dentist part, I ended up going to the office they split from because I knew I had felt comfortable with a few of the assistants. That transition was really a friend good one alot initially had to do with their care. They knew how to put an anxious pt to ease.
An assistant Shelby at that new office is one I got to know. She was very approachable, funny, and really listened to me and explained things to me in a way I really got, she was extra careful with me and making sure she got the suction for every piece as she knew I hated the thought of things being missed and swallowed accidentally or the fear of choking on anything. She also knew I feared the thought of my throat going numb from anesthetic being dropped accidentally, she explained that most of the time if that happens its because the topical mixes with saliva because they put too much on and its swallowed. so she would have the suction up there and make sure . I felt completely safe when she was there, as well, she worked so awesomely with my dentist and seemed to mind read him and know exactly what to do .
Dentist switches clinics.. so .. I get to meet the assistants there. Love the 2 assistants at the first clinic right away, really fun and welcoming and kind.. which makes a nervous patient feel much more at ease.. and Shukri was younger and just starting but very great spirit about her and Ashley , she knew exactly what she was doing no doubt. she actually made a temp tooth that stayed on for over 5 weeks and was on there really good!!
Dentist switches to the other location. meet Aimee. again younger assistant , new location , just starting there but she just has a really kind way about her, and she seems like she wants to make patients feel very comfortable and make sure all the questions are answered and also works very well with the dentists , very consiencious and seeming to soak up and really learn everything they are saying and doing so she can help them best. She also let me grab her hand on a shot with a new dentist and offered the second time around . very intuitive and great!
So three amazing assistants and there have been more. On the other hand. and I hate to go to the negative side so I won't long. but have also had assistants who have barely looked at or spoken to me. or actually ignored I was a person with thoughts and feelings. it was like they were working on a manican head on an assembly line. that was some time ago. years.. there were nurses who shamed me , who rolled their eyes, and others who held me down as a child as the dr drilled and I was in pain freaking out as a child on the inside.
I'm really..... thankful for the ones who make a difference and are so kind and welcoming and know how to treat anxious patients .. Thank God for the great assistants and nurses out there ! They definately deserve a huge credit!! I also have a friend who is a dental nurse and know she does absolutely all she can to make a patient feel seen and heard and understood, and is a strong advocate for anxious patients.. so thankful for that!!
What makes your dental nurse/assistant great? or not so great?
There have been a few I have really appreciated for sure. And they can make all the difference in a visit where you feel seen , heard and connected somehow at your appt! Much of the time they are the first face you see for your appt. and can really set the tone. That can be good or bad... as well as often times the ones giving the last instructions, prescriptions, etc as you head out the door. So their work is so important and pivotal in care I think!
When I left a dentist 2 years ago due to just declining care on the dentist part, I ended up going to the office they split from because I knew I had felt comfortable with a few of the assistants. That transition was really a friend good one alot initially had to do with their care. They knew how to put an anxious pt to ease.
An assistant Shelby at that new office is one I got to know. She was very approachable, funny, and really listened to me and explained things to me in a way I really got, she was extra careful with me and making sure she got the suction for every piece as she knew I hated the thought of things being missed and swallowed accidentally or the fear of choking on anything. She also knew I feared the thought of my throat going numb from anesthetic being dropped accidentally, she explained that most of the time if that happens its because the topical mixes with saliva because they put too much on and its swallowed. so she would have the suction up there and make sure . I felt completely safe when she was there, as well, she worked so awesomely with my dentist and seemed to mind read him and know exactly what to do .
Dentist switches clinics.. so .. I get to meet the assistants there. Love the 2 assistants at the first clinic right away, really fun and welcoming and kind.. which makes a nervous patient feel much more at ease.. and Shukri was younger and just starting but very great spirit about her and Ashley , she knew exactly what she was doing no doubt. she actually made a temp tooth that stayed on for over 5 weeks and was on there really good!!
Dentist switches to the other location. meet Aimee. again younger assistant , new location , just starting there but she just has a really kind way about her, and she seems like she wants to make patients feel very comfortable and make sure all the questions are answered and also works very well with the dentists , very consiencious and seeming to soak up and really learn everything they are saying and doing so she can help them best. She also let me grab her hand on a shot with a new dentist and offered the second time around . very intuitive and great!
So three amazing assistants and there have been more. On the other hand. and I hate to go to the negative side so I won't long. but have also had assistants who have barely looked at or spoken to me. or actually ignored I was a person with thoughts and feelings. it was like they were working on a manican head on an assembly line. that was some time ago. years.. there were nurses who shamed me , who rolled their eyes, and others who held me down as a child as the dr drilled and I was in pain freaking out as a child on the inside.
I'm really..... thankful for the ones who make a difference and are so kind and welcoming and know how to treat anxious patients .. Thank God for the great assistants and nurses out there ! They definately deserve a huge credit!! I also have a friend who is a dental nurse and know she does absolutely all she can to make a patient feel seen and heard and understood, and is a strong advocate for anxious patients.. so thankful for that!!