Professional Education Articles by Topic: Sensitivity

Managing Dental Anxiety in Dental Patients

As dental professionals one of the most common demographic of patients we manage and treat are those with dental anxiety. Especially early in the career, it can be quite challenging managing their anxiety to allow you to safely and effectively provide the necessary dental treatment and care they require. Within this group of patients, a subset suffer from poor oral health, only visiting the dentist when there is a severe toothache.

Communication, Consent & Clinical Considerations in Dentistry

Conveying information to obtain informed consent can be complicated when trying to consider all relevant factors. Read on for a concise summary of the key components to consider.

Educating our patients about the disease-diet relationship

We know that oral health is associated with diet in many ways, and we can track this back to ancient times. Dental palaeopathology or the study of ancient teeth, reinforces for us, as oral health professionals, the importance of addressing dietary habits and behaviors with our patients.

The art of saying no as a new graduate

Having recently begun work as a graduate dentist, my first few months were defined by an incredibly steep learning curve. While I readily embrace the clinical feedback imparted by my mentors, being more assertive is advice that I have always struggled to take.

Identifying and overcoming barriers to oral health-promoting behaviours

Taking the time to understand and work through the unique barriers to performing at-home oral hygiene and accessing professional care is a core responsibility of our profession that can elicit satisfying changes in our patients’ behaviour and oral health.

Teeth whitening explained, plus top tips to maintain a white smile

As dental practitioners, we frequently get asked many questions regarding tooth whitening. With a plethora of information, trends, and options out there on the market, we need to stay on top of it all to be able to provide our patients with the best-available, up-to-date advice regarding how they can both achieve, and maintain a healthy white smile. In this article, Dr Sam Koh dives into the world of tooth whitening and provides clinicians a summary of both how teeth discolour and whiten, as well as some simple tips to dental professionals about how they can best educate their patients on how to achieve and maintain a bright white smile.

The importance of practice culture and how it can make or break a career

Entering the workforce is an exciting time but when going to job interviews it is important to not only consider whether you are right for the dental clinic but whether the dental clinic is right for you. A large part of this is workplace culture which has the potential to make or break a career where you may come to no longer enjoy your profession or become burnt out.

The New Perspective on Teledentistry in the era of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on several aspects of dentistry, and with lockdowns and a reduction in social contacts, the economic viability of many dental practices has been affected.

COVID-19, medication and dental caries - an unexpected correlation?

Recent episodes of lockdown and self-isolation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to multiple negative consequences for people's private, social and business life. For some, this has resulted in anxiety and depression, which has led to an increased use of antidepressants. The increased rate of prescription of these medications has been reported worldwide, from Australia to Poland to the United States and can have an impact on the oral health of our patients.

Oral care in Australian children – what could we be doing better?

Childhood caries and its sequelae are leading causes of preventable hospital admissions and can cause significant distress to children and their families. As the confronting reality is that we frequently see children presenting with severe pain and facial swellings in our emergency department, I was invited by Colgate to delve into my experience as a hospital dentist and to reflect on what we could be doing better as a profession to prevent and manage such cases by working alongside parents and caregivers.

The Economics of Oral Disease Prevention

The Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus from the 1500’s once said, ‘prevention is better than cure’. This famous phrase still resonates with us today into the 21st century and it is particularly relevant to oral disease prevention. According to the most recent Child and Adult Australian National Oral Health Surveys, about 1 in 4 children aged 5-10 years old have untreated dental caries in the deciduous teeth, and about 1 in 3 adults have untreated dental caries and moderate-severe periodontitis.

Social determinants of health impact oral health and access to care

Social determinants of health can greatly impact individual health. For rural and remote Australians, geographic location can impact both oral health status and the ability to access oral health care. Working in such locations can be difficult, but a satisfying career choice.

A career beyond the dental chair? What are some of the options for oral health professionals?

Feeling stuck in your career as a dental practitioner? Read on to find out some extended career pathways for all dental professionals beyond the provision of clinical care.

How to succeed in an ever-changing environment of increased uncertainty: the importance of mentoring.

This article aims to provide insight on the importance of mentoring, proactively searching for mentors that suit specific needs and taking responsibility for learning.

Decision making in dentistry, it’s not always easy

This article touches on the (very large) topic of decision-making in dentistry when it comes to recommending treatments and recognizing your limits as a clinician to prevent adverse situations as well as considering clinical guidelines and the ethical delivery of health care.

Becoming a better you - Taking the next step in your dental professional development and reaching your goals

Oral Health Care for the elderly and modifying approaches

Portrait of a senior asian couple (Shutterstock Image ID:144153841)

Oral health not only refers to the absence of dental diseases but its contribution to general well-being and quality of life, which is more difficult to achieve with age. Learning about the characteristics of the elderly population can give helpful insights on oral health care for the elderly. Treating the elderly population poses many challenges for oral health professionals especially when implementing preventative strategies. Clinicians have to consider deterioration of physical and mental health, medical condition(s) or polypharmacy when managing this cohort. This unique group of vulnerable individuals become the main consumers of primary health care services and are a high-risk group for dental diseases. Modifying approaches to oral health care is important in providing a more patient-centred care plan.

The Phases of Care Framework for dental treatment planning

Comprehensive treatment planning can be challenging when considering complex patient needs. The phases of care framework can be used by dental practitioners to formulate a methodical and patient-centered treatment plan.

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Coronavirus: shaping the practice of dentistry and oral care

Following the implementation of restrictions on the provision of dental treatment by Australian and global regulatory bodies in the face of COVID-19, Emma Turner reflects on the present and future implications of the pandemic on clinical practice, oral care and dental education.

Motivational interviewing: a patient centred approach

Motivational Interviewing is an effective patient-centred, collaborative method for achieving positive behavioural change and improving oral health outcomes. MI is a brief intervention but can enhance the patient-clinician relationship. It requires reflective listening, affirmation, and recognising their reasons to change. This article focuses on some key techniques of MI.

Sustainable Dentistry

Going green: How can we make our practice more sustainable?

Dental care, both at home and in the clinic can be seen to produce significant levels of single use waste. Read on to learn about a range of strategies dental professionals can implement to decrease the level of landfill associated with oral health care.

Elevate the new patient dental experience from the start

Smiley doctor's assistant shows the dentist's chair

This article describes three key strategies to improve positive experiences of new patients visiting the dental office.

Caries? We Care

Mental health for dental professionals

Prioritising your mental health when working in the dental profession.

Sustainable dentistry: dentistry with a conscience

There are many definitions for sustainability, however, the basic concept is to meet the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Fads, Fiction and Facts: Navigating the world of fads and how to discuss this with our patients

Learn about some of the more common and current oral health fads and trends, as Dr Sam Koh discusses how he approaches communicating these with his patients and the potential impact on their oral health.

Communication: The Transition From Student to Dentist

Communication in dentistry has always been a challenge, even for the most experienced of dentists. For those who have just entered the world of dentistry as new graduates, the idea of effective communication can be overwhelming. Fear not, here are 10 tips from those who have survived this transition period from student to dentist.

Diagnosis and Management of Oral Lesions and Conditions: A Resource Handbook for the Clinician

Diagnosis and Management of Oral Lesions and Conditions: A Resource Handbook for the Clinician.Edited by Cesar A. Migliorati and Fotinos S. Panagakos.

Oral Systemic

Reading Between the Lines to Help our Patients Make Informed Decisions

Today, more than ever our patients are armed with significant access to health information from a range of sources. So how do we as health professionals, help our patients navigate the health information and health claim space and separate fact from fiction?

Dentists in Prime Position to Provide Nutrient-rich Education

As dental professionals, we are in a prime position to discuss nutrition with our patients and of course, the main topic that comes to mind is sugar!

Working in a Country Area: Why Should You Take the Plunge?

Working in a rural environment is a thought often considered amongst new graduates. Many may recall a rural placement as part of their studies and reminisce about the good (or sometimes not so good) experience that they had. Rural dentistry introduces its own unique challenges; however, it also has many advantages.

Effective Communication: Understanding the patient and being adaptive

Patient communication is constantly underrated and undervalued. However, the world we live in is constantly-changing, with the advent of new information sources such as alternative websites and social media. We need to therefore be at the forefront of information and stay on top of everything, steering our patients on the right path towards better dental health.

Enhancing Personalised Oral Hygiene to the Next Level

Oral health literacy and motivation to attend regular dental care is highly variable among people. As dental professionals, there are several steps covered in this article that can increase the chances of getting compliance from your patients.

Oral Health Outreach: Nurturing Future Generations Towards Sustainable Health Practices

Instilling optimal oral hygiene and lifestyle habits in schoolchildren is the goal of Emma Turner and her Australian Dental Students’ Association colleagues. Here she explains how they’re doing it and the response their programme is getting.

Considering Health Literacy For Improving Patient Retention

As a newly practicing dentist, patient retention may present as a challenging factor to face. Even with great clinical skills, retaining patients can be an issue. Dr Mikaela Chinotti suggests understanding patients’ health literacy can help dental professionals retain them.

Aged Care

Aged Care | Dental Professional Education | Colgate Professional

School based intervention for improving the oral health of children in southern Thailand

P.E. Petersen1, J. Hunsrisakhun2, A. Thearmontree2, S. Pithpornchaiyakul2, J. Hintao2, N. Jürgensen1 and R.P. Ellwood3

Older Adults Oral Health Issues

There has been much emphasis on the challenges faced by children and their parents in securing optimal oral health. Indeed, the research base for fluoride interventions is largely centered on school age children.

A healthcare professional guide to oral care for older patients

In 2013 a group of experts met in Seattle, Washington to define a care pathway for oral care in older patients. The group reviewed the existing scientific evidence and, through a series of workshops, developed a cohesive means of defining appropriate prevention and treatment modalities for this important and growing section of our population.

More Than Just the Mouth: Refining Relationships With Other Professionals and Health Providers

By working closely with other professionals and health providers, dental professionals can help to ensure they can deliver not only optimal oral health care to their patients, but a holistic approach to a patient’s overall care.

Introducing Pro-Argin Technology

Introducing Pro-Argin™, a Breakthrough Technology Based Upon Arginine and Calcium for In-Office Treatment of Dentin Hypersensitivity

Cardiovascular Disease And Oral Inflammation

Cardiovascular disease involves the heart and/or blood vessels. More than 50 million Americans experience cardiovascular problems and cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death and disability in the United States.

Caries

The Journal of Clinical Dentistry, A Comprehensive Review of the Benefits of Pro-Argin™ Oral Care Products

Arginine is an amino acid that is found naturally in saliva. When formulated correctly into oral care products, arginine is capable of plugging and sealing open dentin tubules, thereby providing relief from dentin hypersensitivity (Pro-Argin™ technology).

Diagnostic And Therapeutic Strategies For The Management Of The Diabetic Patient

The bridge between oral and systemic health exists and becomes more concrete as data continue to emerge in support of this relationship.

Clinical efficacy of Colgate® Sensitive Pro-Relief™ Desensitising Polishing Paste

Learn how Pro-Argin™ Technology is clinically proven to work prior to a dental procedure.

Diabetes Mellitus: Strategies for Providing Comprehensive Care

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that has reached epidemic proportions in the United States.

Sensitivity

The Journal of Clinical Dentistry®, Colgate Total Supplement

Advanced Oral Antibacterial/Anti-inflammatory Technology: A Comprehensive Review of the Benefits of a Triclosan/Copolymer/Fluoride Dentifrice

Oral Health and Systemic Health Association

While additional research is needed to better understand the association between oral health and systemic health, there are steps that may make a difference to their oral and overall health.

General Health screening as part of a periodontal examination

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes are common systemic illnesses with reliable, predictive risk factors.

Periodontal Disease and Overall Health: A Clinician’s Guide, Second Edition.

Periodontal Disease and Overall Health: A Clinician’s Guide, Second Edition provides the latest information and clinical studies pertaining to the oral systemic relationship

Treating Periodontal Disease Cuts Risk of Systemic Complications

Why should a doctor be interested in oral disease?

Periodontal Disease and Overall Health: A Clinician's Guide

Periodontal disease is one of the most common diseases of man and is responsible for most of the tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease has received considerable attention in the past several decades and a new understanding of the disease is emerging.

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