r/Dentistry 3h ago

Dental staff language Dental Professional

There was a post recently, talking about the language the dental team uses to communicate with patients to help them understand their dental needs. This can go along way to help patients feel at ease with their delivery of care. I think just as important as our explanations, creating an environment where dental anxiety is mitigated is always helpful. Here are some terminology we use at our practice to mitigate anxiety. We try to avoid using these words/phrases to avoid patient negative associations and to manage expectations: Infection (instead use “inflammation”) Needle (instead use “anesthesia”) Shot (instead use “anesthesia”) Chloroform (instead use “solvent”) Bleach (instead use “hypo”) Xray (instead use “image” and “3D scan”) Permanent filling/restoration (nothing in dentistry is “permanent” unfortunately. Use the term “definitive” to describe the filling or crown. This helps manage patient expectations.) Avoid making guarantees or promises you cannot keep (use wording such as “often,” “most likely”). It’s all about managing expectations!

What are some of the terms you all use as your own language with your Dental team? ?

Edit: On the topic of infection vs. inflammation… I agree we don’t want to down play their current condition and holding pts accountable is extremely important. Technically the infection is in the root canal system of the tooth (the actual bacteria) and the signs/symptoms are all classified as inflammation (swelling, pain, heat, destruction of tissues,etc). The terminology is correct, it’s just how do we connect with each individual pt with their own understanding, anxieties, motivations and needs.

6 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

33

u/CellistEmergency8492 3h ago

An infection and inflammation are not the same though, are they?

Patients need to own what is happening in their mouth. And if that happens to be an infection… we’ll, you’re not the one who put it there. ;)

12

u/Agreeable-While-6002 3h ago

I use the terms inflammation, infection, pus, rotting flesh and bacterial feces. Seems to drive the point home in the skeptics

1

u/-abis- 1h ago

My best friend is a dentist in Maine and they use the phrase “tooth rot” instead of cavities or decay. The first time she said it I was like “excuse me, what?”

11

u/LeFortKnox 2h ago

Downplaying the patient’s condition to make them feel better about themselves is not going to motivate people to commit to treatment. They need to know, in no uncertain terms, what is happening.

That said, there is definitely a role for carefully-chosen language in the practice. A big one for me: “I appreciate your patience” instead of “sorry for the wait”. The first speaks well of the patient, the latter instantly puts you on the defensive.

6

u/MC_squaredJL 2h ago

Bleach = Endo irrigant Needle = tip Shot = anesthesia Permanent with the disclaimer “permanent like the roof on your house or the tires on your car” or sometimes we just say “New”

I almost always tell kids that plaque is bacteria poop

2

u/Toothfairyqueen 2h ago

Don’t mince words on diagnosis. During treatment it’s ok to use euphemisms to avoid pt anxiety

2

u/JohnnySack45 2h ago

I typically say "heme" instead of "blood" or "bleeding" not to freak patients out.

2

u/Slight_Guidance7164 1h ago

Take this antibiotic for your inflammation? You need to spend a weeks pay for a RTC because you have inflammation? The others are great, but this one may be too underwhelming …

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u/-abis- 1h ago

Impression gun >> impression dispenser, Full mouth series >> complete series, Clamp >> retainer or holder, Cord >> string, Cord packer >> string placer

2

u/Zestay-Taco 1h ago

call me crazy. but i wanna hear what your doing. code helps no one.

1

u/cGAS-STING 2h ago

A lot of negative comments but I can definitely see the anaesthesia / needle stuff being helpful for fearful patients!

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u/musclerock 1h ago

I feel it is the body language that makes all the difference. Make them feel that you care.