Doctors

Dental Fear

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Do you have a phobia or suffer from dental fear. Many people suffer from fear of going to the dentist. DentalFearCentral.org offers the following explanation. DENTAL FEAR is a reaction to a known danger (“I know what the dentist is going to do, been there, done that – I’m scared!!”), which involves a fight-or-flight response when confronted with the threatening stimulus. DENTAL PHOBIA is basically the same as fear, only much stronger (“I know what happens when I go to the dentist – there’s no way I’m going back if I can help it. I’m so terrified I feel sick”). Also, the fight-or-flight response occurs when just thinking about or being reminded of the threatening situation. Someone with a dental phobia will avoid dental care at all costs until either a physical problem or the psychological burden of the phobia … Read more

Dentists Reviewing Literature

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I think this is somewhat of joke; however, dentists are soon going to be getting their hands dirty reviewing dental literature. The American Dental Association (ADA) is starting to practice evidence based dentistry (EDA) as opposed to biased dentistry. They should have been doing this decades ago! The recent ADA’s Evidence Reviewers workshop in late June of 2008 taught clinicians and researchers how to critically assess scientific literature and how and why critical summaries should be written. “I was able to come away from the EBD reviewer workshop training with a dramatically new and refreshing perspective on evidence in dentistry,” said Dr. Joseph Hagenbruch of Harvard, Ill., a general dentist and incoming chair of the ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs. “More importantly, I was able to learn skills and techniques for use when reviewing dental literature for determination of … Read more

The Dentist’s Pledge

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The Dentist’s Pledge I, (dentist’s name), as a member of the dental profession, shall keep this pledge and these stipulations. I understand and accept that my primary responsibility is to my patients, and I shall dedicate myself to render, to the best of my ability, the highest standard of oral health care and to maintain a relationship of respect and confidence. Therefore, let all come to me safe in the knowledge that their total health and well-being are my first considerations. I shall accept the responsibility that, as a professional, my competence rests on continuing the attainment of knowledge and skill in the arts and sciences of dentistry. I acknowledge my obligation to support and sustain the honor and integrity of the profession and to conduct myself in all endeavors such that I shall merit the respect of patients, colleagues … Read more

The Dentist’s Prayer

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The Dentist’s Prayer Thank you, O Lord, for the privilege of being a dentist, For letting me serve as your instrument in ministering to the sick and afflicted, May I always treat with reverence the human life which you have brought into being and which I serve, Deepen my love for people so that I will always give myself gladly and generously to those stricken with illness and pain, Help me to listen patiently, diagnose carefully, prescribe conscientiously, and treat gently, Teach me to blend gentleness with skill, To be a dentist with a heart as well as a mind. Joseph G. Kalil, D.D.S. (written 1991) Source: ADA Current Policies

8 Things You Don’t Want to Happen to You in an American Hospital

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There are eight things that you must never let happen to you while you’re in hospital.  If they do, health insurers say they will no longer pay out. Tired of picking up the tab for the vast number of doctor and hospital errors that happen in American hospitals every year, health insurers have listed eight no payout errors. Around 2 million people get an infection every year while staying in an American hospital, and a further 100,000 will die as a result. The eight no payout errors relate to: air embolism blood incompatibility catheter-associated urinary tract infection decubitus ulcer (pressure sores) vascular catheter-associated infection surgical site infection mediastinitis (infection of the chest area) falls and trauma objects left in the body after surgery. But wait. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are planning on adding a further nine … Read more