To provide the general dentist with specific information about oral surgery procedures that are performed daily in general dentists’ offices. Some advanced information is also given to provide the more experienced general dentist the opportunity to further his or her skills and knowledge. The ability of a general dentist to perform these procedures is based on a number of factors. Some dentists have a great interest in surgery, while others have very little interest. Some dentists have had a general practice residency or other postgraduate training or experience; others may not have had the opportunity.
Some are in areas that have little or no support from a specialist, which makes some surgery mandatory in their practices. Currently, it is accepted that regardless of who performs dental procedures, be they a generalist or a specialist, the standards of care are the same. If a general dentist wants to include the removal of third molars in his or her practice, he or she will usually need more training than that provided in Dental Management.
Just having the desire to do this procedure will not, in and of itself, qualify a person. The best thing a general dentist can do is to first obtain additional training. Surgical expertise is improved by taking postgraduate courses. The Dental Consultant then learns to diagnose the less complicated procedures and does them with supervision until they are performed well. State laws do not discriminate between a general dentist and a specialist. A license gives the same perogative to a generalist that an oral surgeon has to extract teeth.
Therefore, the generalist has a greater responsibility to acquire training and knowledge if he or she expects to do more complex procedures. This responsibility includes not only receiving instruction in step-by-step surgical techniques, but also the medical management of such patients and any complications that might arise. Surgical skill is only part of the equation.
The judgment of the practitioner in making appropriate decisions regarding the patient’s total condition is vital when doing surgical procedures. Anxiety management should be addressed before the surgical procedure is started. Will sedation be needed to accomplish the treatment? Some patients require sedation in order to make them feel comfortable about the surgery. The dentist who doesn’t fully understand the many facets of treating an extremely anxious and medically compromised patient should find an appropriate network of specialists in medicine
and/or dentistry and then use a multidisciplinary team approach.
Dental Consultant must never forget the human elements of kindness, compassion, and caring.
The patient wants to be treated just like any person would want to be treated. Dentists need to have enough insight into the patients’ fears and concerns to be able to calm and reassure them that they can handle any and all contingencies with competence. A little compassion and empathy go a long way in today’s “rushed” society.
Some are in areas that have little or no support from a specialist, which makes some surgery mandatory in their practices. Currently, it is accepted that regardless of who performs dental procedures, be they a generalist or a specialist, the standards of care are the same. If a general dentist wants to include the removal of third molars in his or her practice, he or she will usually need more training than that provided in Dental Management.
Just having the desire to do this procedure will not, in and of itself, qualify a person. The best thing a general dentist can do is to first obtain additional training. Surgical expertise is improved by taking postgraduate courses. The Dental Consultant then learns to diagnose the less complicated procedures and does them with supervision until they are performed well. State laws do not discriminate between a general dentist and a specialist. A license gives the same perogative to a generalist that an oral surgeon has to extract teeth.
Therefore, the generalist has a greater responsibility to acquire training and knowledge if he or she expects to do more complex procedures. This responsibility includes not only receiving instruction in step-by-step surgical techniques, but also the medical management of such patients and any complications that might arise. Surgical skill is only part of the equation.
The judgment of the practitioner in making appropriate decisions regarding the patient’s total condition is vital when doing surgical procedures. Anxiety management should be addressed before the surgical procedure is started. Will sedation be needed to accomplish the treatment? Some patients require sedation in order to make them feel comfortable about the surgery. The dentist who doesn’t fully understand the many facets of treating an extremely anxious and medically compromised patient should find an appropriate network of specialists in medicine
and/or dentistry and then use a multidisciplinary team approach.
Dental Consultant must never forget the human elements of kindness, compassion, and caring.
The patient wants to be treated just like any person would want to be treated. Dentists need to have enough insight into the patients’ fears and concerns to be able to calm and reassure them that they can handle any and all contingencies with competence. A little compassion and empathy go a long way in today’s “rushed” society.
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