The Practicon Viewpoint by Ann Page Griffin

DENTAL HEALTH EDUCATOR

A POSITIVE ADDITION TO PATIENT CARE

Dentists and team members are well aware of the oral-systemic link and the importance of oral health to total body health. But are your patients equally aware of the impact that untreated dental disease can have on their overall health? That dental disease increases the likelihood of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other health issues? This realization might awaken your patients to the importance of better home care. It might also make them eager to keep recare appointments, and increase their acceptance of treatment, particularly periodontal treatment.

Typically, in many busy dental offices, patient education amounts to a brief urging by hygienists, assistants, or dentists for a patient to brush and floss regularly, limit snacks, and return for hygiene appointments. There is simply not enough time during most appointments to teach patients in detail how to care for their own mouths, to remind them of the factors that cause oral diseases, and to emphasize the importance of treating dental problems as they develop rather than waiting until chronic pain, systemic health problems, or disfigurement occurs.

Consider adding the role of Dental Health Educator (DHE) to your dental team. Either a trained dental auxiliary can fill the position, or a teacher can be trained to educate patients about oral health and prevention of disease. As a former teacher myself, I began my career in dentistry as a DHE in a pediatric dental office. The role served patients and parents very well and developed into a dynamite marketing program for the practice. That same practice has maintained the position of DHE through many years and is now educating second and third generation patients and their parents.

The DHE is the staff member who has the time and knowledge to affect the way in which your patients are educated about oral health. She or he should keep a separate schedule from the treatment or hygiene schedules so that adequate time is available for effective patient instruction.

A quotation attributed to Benjamin Franklin led me to think of the importance of involving patients in their own oral health goals: Tell me and I forget; teach me and I may remember; involve me and I learn. The DHE is the team member who can involve patients in ways to help them learn how to maintain their own oral health for a lifetime.

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