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What’s one thing that helps you connect with patients who process the world differently , how do you make sure they feel seen and respected during a difficult dental procedure like a filling ?
Hello, I am currently A dental assistant that specializes in giving care to the ID or IDD (special needs) population that is about to start the EFDA (expanded fundamental dental assistant ) Dental program. Going into this field has already been such an amazing eye-opening experience for me and I would like to continue giving my best care to these individuals so I am seeking advice considering I am going into a new position and would like to get more support on how to 1. make the patient feel at most comfortable and 2.provide my most Gold standard care so that I know that their restorations/fillings will be grade A.
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Romina’s Answer
Dear Dominique:
I have a son with Autism, so i have a special affinity with Special Needs patients. The first and most important aspect to consider for connecting with these patients, is getting to know as much as possible about their interests, so you can talk about them during the clinical procedure must be as short as possible (20 mins max.), prioricing adaptation techniques over finishing all the treatment in one session.
Congratulations for your service vocacion, because that improves your skills and health condicion for patients that only few Dentists wants to treat.
P.S: i hope my redaction is good enought, english is not my native language.
I have a son with Autism, so i have a special affinity with Special Needs patients. The first and most important aspect to consider for connecting with these patients, is getting to know as much as possible about their interests, so you can talk about them during the clinical procedure must be as short as possible (20 mins max.), prioricing adaptation techniques over finishing all the treatment in one session.
Congratulations for your service vocacion, because that improves your skills and health condicion for patients that only few Dentists wants to treat.
P.S: i hope my redaction is good enought, english is not my native language.
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Dominique
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Dominique,
I'm impressed with the respectful sensitivities you showed in your question. As a presenter for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Talk Saves Lives, I've often shared with attendees that those of us who have never experienced depression literally do not know what it's like to live with it. So, I would encourage you to try to understand and see the world from the perspective of the individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities as much as possible. The thought here is that by doing so, you would better understand their unique (and universal) needs, specifically during a dental procedure, in this example. And this is where your training and education can play an important role. Let me share with you an article about individuals with disabilities on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website:
https://www.nami.org/your-journey/identity-and-cultural-dimensions/people-with-disabilities/
I hope this is helpful. Congratulations on your career.
Hwal
I'm impressed with the respectful sensitivities you showed in your question. As a presenter for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Talk Saves Lives, I've often shared with attendees that those of us who have never experienced depression literally do not know what it's like to live with it. So, I would encourage you to try to understand and see the world from the perspective of the individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities as much as possible. The thought here is that by doing so, you would better understand their unique (and universal) needs, specifically during a dental procedure, in this example. And this is where your training and education can play an important role. Let me share with you an article about individuals with disabilities on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website:
https://www.nami.org/your-journey/identity-and-cultural-dimensions/people-with-disabilities/
I hope this is helpful. Congratulations on your career.
Hwal