Does Your Kids Dentist Have a Good Chair Side Manor?

New dental patients often have to overcome feelings of fear and anxiety of the dentist’s chair. A disarming and pleasant chairside manner of the dentist can do a long way to assisting a patient with this desire to feel comfortable. Below are few tactics good dentist can employ and will improve tier overall chairside manners for future dental patients and keep them coming for return visits

1. The Greeting

When a young patient meets the pediatric dentist’s exam room, the patient’s chair is lowered to make it easy to climb in and we recommend keeping, the instruments out of sight initially. The dental hygienist is usually the first clinician they meet and this first impression must be warm and welcoming. Greet your patient by using their first name and be sure to use eye contact and a warm smile. When the overhead lamp is turned on, ask your patient if it is too bright for his eyes or offer dark glasses.

2. The Ice-Breaker

If they are a new patient, ask about past experiences with previous dentists. Be sure to ask open ended questions that encourage conversation, allowing the patient to decide what to share with the dentist. This can help your patient relax and guide the dentist on how they like to communicate. For regular patients, the dentist should still ask questions that solicit more than a yes or no answer. A two way conversation is always best for building rapport with anyone.

3. Talks to the Patient

Even if there is a dentist assistant in the room, the dentist should continue to talk with the patient and not just to the assistant. The patient will appreciate knowing that your next clinical step is and how it feels, for instance. Obviously the answers will be shorter responses when their mouths are open during a procedure. Inquire if the patient feels okay or ask if he would like a break in the case of longer procedures. The dentist refrains from talking about his self, his family or hobbies, unless the patient has established this type of relationship that makes these topics appropriate.

4. Pays Attention

It is not always easy to stay focused on the patient’s well-being, especially when the visit is routine. An essential chairside manner is to stay focused on the patient’s needs, own dental health and get their willingness do see a treatment plan through.

5. Establish Communication Signals

When there are instruments in the mouth of the patient, it is hard for the patient to let you know if he is uncomfortable. Before starting, the dentist establishes signals with the patient that allow the patient to communicate pain, fear and other discomforts. A good pediatric dentist in Trenton uses fun playful signals that the patient and dentist can clearly understand and can easily use.

Being a good dentist goes way beyond being skillful. When there is a kids dental emergency situation, no doubt you want the most skillful dentist dealing with your son or daughter. Some f the best pediatric dentistry offices are the ones that help kids overcome their dental phobias