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Finding Compassion With The Most Difficult Dental Patients

Finding Compassion With The Most Difficult Dental Patients
by Tiffany Peloquin, RDH

We can all think of that patient. You know, the patient you see in your schedule that makes you question whether the sudden onset of flu is approaching. When you see that name, all of the agony you know that upcoming appointment holds for you flashes through your mind, as you break into a cold sweat and your hands become so clammy that your gloves get stuck halfway up your fingers.The thought of taking that patient and moving them from your schedule to another hygienist’s schedule has definitely crossed your mind. It is at that moment; I loathe the fact that I have a conscience.

So here he is again. My “most difficult” patient. I look at his chart to make sure that he is really due for his prophy. Six months and one day. My heart sinks even further. I think to myself, “It feels like he was just here, how could it have already been six months?” I walk down the hall and into the waiting room. “Mr. Jones, I am ready for you!” Instantly, his snide sense of humor begins. “Well, I am not ready for you,” he replies. A shudder runs down my spine as he gets up to follow me down to, what I know will be quite possibly the longest 45 minutes of the next six months, of my life.

Read full article on Today's RDH.