how to deal with difficult patients as a dental assistant?

Question

i need help to do a report

Answer 1

Your an "assistant", just assist the dentist in whatever he/she decides to do with them......

Answer 2

I worked in a very busy dental practise. Almost every patient is a difficult patient. It is common knowledge no one likes to go to the Dentist.
The dental assistants job is to keep each patient feeling like their being there is your top priority. From the moment they enter the waiting room pop your head out and say "hello by name" and identify you know they have arrived. This way the patient feels you care and understand that they are waiting. If they have concerns they will tell you and thank them for their information. (Avoid confrontation and long stories in the waiting room.)

After the patient is in the dental chair most are on edge. Have them bring in a magazine from the waiting room or offer them something to read. A "quick chat" is always appreciated, best not to ask them what their dental problem is as that is up to the dentist to listen to that long tedious story.

"All patients want to feel extra special". Remember details of how they reacted to the last freezing or filling . (Keep acurate charts) Reassure them that you care. Always "listen carefully". Patients tell you different things than they tell the dentist and assume you will tell him. Patients tell you what they are allergic to. Always refer to the patient by name as it is conforting and appreciated.

People become most aggitated when they feel no one is listening or caring. People who are aggitated like to not to air their frustration in public. It is common for the patient to be aggitated with the assistant then as nice as pie to the Dentist. They regard the dentist as authority and treat him with respect. This I think every office assistant and chairside assistant will vouch for.

Hope this will help you not have difficult patients. Remember the Dentist gets paid the big bucks to deal with the difficult patients not you.
Donnarene

Answer 3

First you have to think of different ways they would be rude. Maybe some examples:

"I've been waiting an hour and I'm not happy"

Reply: "sometimes patients have dental problems that take longer than the time we allot, we apologize for making you wait"

Probably the most difficult patients are going to be the elderly, rebellious children, people who are in a hurry and have to wait a long time, and people who are afraid of dentists and dental work.

The elderly and children alot of the same tactics work, soothe their fears and and make them comfortable. For children a toy or prize or sticker at the end of their appt helps, picking out a pretty color tooth brush, etc. For elderly, giving them extras like floss, something extra that saves them money. For the hurried, an apology for running later helps alot. For people who are afraid, explain procedures carefully to them, some like to know step by step, others just want it over and done. Always offer them a choice of this or that, such as "Do you want me to use mint or cherry paste when I clean your teeth"?

I know I'm not happy when I have to wait, it's expected sometimes but not every single time. Offer the patient for the next appointment a slot where you know they won't have to wait and if they want a different one let them know ahead of time it could be a wait because it's a popular time slot.

Answer 4

I never had to deal with patients but I worked in retail for years. I can tell you this:
People love to hear their own name, use it often
Be sincere don't call people "sir or maam" it sounds like you are upset with them
Compliment them
Ask them about their family people love to talk
Tell them how great of a patient they are
They them you are always happy to see them because they are so nice.....this works you will be surprised because then they will want to be nice to you
Joke with them...."oops you don't use that tooth much do you?" make sure they can take a joke.
If you have a stuffy, uptight person make them feel like they are important, because that is what they are seeking, they want approval and respect. Let them know that they are priority one.

Hope this helps. Don't let the turkeys get you down.

Answer 5

Use laughing gas on them... ;-)

nitrous oxide