Welcoming a different, extra-ordinary patient into your practice is not something that comes naturally.
A practitioner who is not used to this kind of welcome will inevitably have a moment of doubt and hesitation when facing the situation.
“I don't know how to do it.” “I'll never manage.” “It's not for me”… or worse, “it's not possible, nothing can be done”
These are the first words that come to mind, faced with the distress of a situation that is not “normal”, not “what we learned at dental school!”.
Following on from the “Tips and Techniques” course, this placement aims to take the stress out of welcoming patients with disabilities and to give practitioners the keys to feel confident and build a bond of trust with the patient that will make treatment possible.
Through this placement, we want to pass on all the professional gestures and routines we have put in place to succeed in caring for patients who live with a disability.
Techniques tested and proven for nearly 20 years.
Patients and their caregivers (family or professional) are satisfied with this care, delivered with dignity and respect for the person.
Knowing how to organise follow-up, carry out at least an examination, a scaling or a simple treatment, and knowing how to handle every situation, up to referring the patient to a specialised, dedicated care facility.
With experience, being able to position yourself as a specialised second-line facility.
This course is designed for dentists who have previously taken the “Tips and Techniques” course, although this prerequisite is not mandatory. It may also be of interest to care assistants, home care assistants and nurses.
Course content
Welcoming dependent older people and/or people with disabilities to the practice:
- Use of kind, positive language and the mirroring technique.
Layout of the waiting room and atmosphere factors:
- Creating adapted atmospheres: sound, scent, lighting.
Approaching and positioning the patient:
- Adjusting language to specific needs and adopting a low posture during exchanges.
- Demonstration of adapted approaches to make contact with the person and their caregivers.
- Presentation of possible adaptations (stretcher, Tumble Form, Laloo, wrapping, etc.).
Techniques to build the patient's trust:
- Use of hypnotic language and non-verbal communication.
Carrying out treatment:
- Explanation of tools and techniques to make it easier to position the patient and keep them in position: spatula, bite block, wedges, Isolite.
Support outside the practice to improve the oral sphere:
- Recommendations on daily hygiene, reducing drooling, improving eating and chewing with specific splints, in collaboration with speech therapists and physiotherapists specialising in oral function.
Four-handed work in treatment:
- The importance of coordination between the practitioner and a trained assistant.
MEOPA (nitrous oxide/oxygen) and premedication:
- Indications, protocols of use and use of the mask as a hypnotic aid.
End of the session:
- Removing the sheet if used, stopping the MEOPA while keeping the mask for its hypnotic role, and returning the chair to its position.
- Thanking the patient for their efforts, as well as their companions, with the option of a symbolic reward (e.g. a medal).
Back at reception:
- The front desk checks on the patient's well-being and arranges the necessary steps for future treatment.
