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Articles by Eileen Morrissey
Counseling alcohol-dependent patients in the hygiene operatory
I haven’t read much about alcohol consumption and periodontal disease. After learning about some scenarios from a dental hygiene colleague, I thought it might be timely to do some research—hence the topic for today’s column. A female patient in the dental practice of Nancy, RDH, has ongoing periodontal disease, despite an excellent home-care regimen and otherwise healthy risk profile.
Stop it with the snarky comments to other professionals
Online communication between hygienists doesn’t seem very polite The headline of my column doesn’t sound very positive, and I normally strive to sound positive. I’ll make an exception today because I’m angry. Yes, I’ve read yet another one. Allow me to explain, and I hope you take my message with you into the new year. I’m a member of more than a few internet subscriber groups for dental hygienists. Most of the time I lurk in these groups and observe the behavior of my colleagues.
Dental hygienists should be talking aloud
Increasing the volume during probing also increases awareness A hygienist I know (let’s call her Partima) works in a practice a half day a week, where she’s been employed for 18 months. The practice also has a full-time hygienist (let’s call her Fultima). Their doctor requests that all patients be comprehensively probed annually. Periodontal screening and recording (PSR) or general perusal of the tissues is performed at all other recare visits.
Complete disclosure: For dental patients who resist, offer disclosing as a motivation
Normally, I practice clinically two days a week. During the summer months, though, my teaching work goes away, and, in an effort for my wallet not to do the same, I schedule extra clinical dental hygiene days. When I have difficult patients during the extended clinical schedules, I find myself burning out and in pursuit of positive solutions. Let me define what constitutes a difficult patient. I don’t mind scaling calculus, and I appreciate motivated patients. Work can, in fact, be quite fun.
Serving at the pleasure of the people: Clinical excellence does not excuse the absence of basic etiquette
I’ve just returned from an office visit for a checkup on my new health-care “product.” This was intended to be a short appointment, strictly a follow-up. The practitioner who treats me kept me waiting for a full hour. When she finally came to retrieve me, she called my name with a blank stare - no smile, no greeting. She turned and I watched her back as I followed her down the hall to the treatment room. This is how it goes at every visit.
Gulp. You can do this! Dental hygienists might find that they like asking for patient referrals
Do you participate in building the hygiene sector of your practice by asking for patient referrals? When I ask hygienists how they feel about this, I get mixed reactions. For the majority, the answer is a resounding, “No way!” My hope is that this column inspires you to take a walk outside your comfort zone and try it. Here are some suggestions to get you started. If you believe that your dental hygiene care and that of your doctor’s is second to none, then why not circulate that message?
Making lemonade with your half-ripe lemons: A bucket list for improving dental hygiene care
If I had an office pipe dream, it would be to open my drawer of instruments to find a full inventory of brand-spanking-new ones smiling back at me. The reality is that this will not happen. Having exquisitely sharp, brand-new instruments that I am able to replace every six months is not within my office budget. So then, how do I make do? It’s simple. I have a certain number of setups containing my older instruments that enable me to get the task accomplished much of the time.
Raise awareness of blood pressure screenings among dental patients and consider tai chi
Do you provide blood pressure screenings for your patients at their dental hygiene recare visits? Today’s dental hygiene students are trained to do so at every recall. A traditional cuff and stethoscope are used, and established guidelines limit treatment of patients who fall out of the range of what is considered safe. The rationale for providing this service is clear, yet in the private practice setting it often falls by the wayside.
Prevent an awkward situation: Hygienists should be careful when doctors dismiss suspicious lesion
At my recent continuing education presentation, “Go ahead: Stick your tongue out at me,” I posed the following scenario to the hygienists who were present: “You are a clinical hygienist in a dental practice. You provide a traditional oral cancer screening to your recare patient, and observe an area on the lateral border of the tongue that concerns you.” Your practice does not have an advanced, oral cancer screening technology available.
Lend a helping hand to cancer patients with oral mucositis
A cancer survivor said, “Mouth sores might not be your biggest problem when you have cancer, but the mouth is a lifeline for fighting it and the sores interfere with the process of trying to nourish yourself and stay alive.” The oral mucosa is exquisitely sensitive and highly susceptible to the effects of chemotherapy and radiation. As such, oral mucositis is a common side effect of cancer treatment. Affecting all areas of the oral cavity, mouth sores can range from mild, moderate, to severe.
Practical magic: Sometimes, just explaining what you do at home does the trick
One of the best ways to get patients to do what you want them to do is to tell them what you do! This means being a role model and talking to them. Easy, right? It took me years to figure this out. Take tooth brushing, for example. There are countless numbers of patients who sit in our chairs and present us with oral hygiene conditions that need improvement. They subscribe to the old adage, “Brush your teeth twice a day.” But many of them still skip the evening brushing.
The doctor's view: Dentists have some startling stories to share about hygienists too
Will Durant, an American historian, once said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." More than a few hygienists promulgate negative postings that pertain to their doctor/employers on Internet subscriber lists.
A Smarter Way To Run a Business
Operating a company in todays business environment is tough. Managers need all the help they can get. This article offers much-needed assistance by demonstrating how two management tools can help a company cut costs, boost profits and, at the same time, remain focused on its strategic business targets. The tools are activity-based management (ABM) and performance measurement. When used together, they can help a company identify and set priorities for cost-improvement opportunities.
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