dental dam?

Toothsmith

bap98189 said:

Sea_Shell said: I just Googled dental dam, to see what it was.  OMG!!  They have "other" uses it would appear!!!

Is it an internet thing or do you think they ever actually get used for that? I can't see how it would be practical myself.

It is to protect against STDs & hepatitis. 

onwards&upwards

Gers said:

onwards&upwards said:world

True, but a lot of bashing of the OP has gone on and some very concerning posts claiming it’s absolutely fine to shove something into a person’s mouth without their agreement! 

I don't believe for even a second that it happened the way the OP reported it. 

Whether it did or not, people are saying that its ok if it did happen that way.

Gers

onwards&upwards said:

Gers said:

onwards&upwards said:world

True, but a lot of bashing of the OP has gone on and some very concerning posts claiming it’s absolutely fine to shove something into a person’s mouth without their agreement! 

I don't believe for even a second that it happened the way the OP reported it. 

Whether it did or not, people are saying that its ok if it did happen that way.

And...we are debating a non-existent event which puts a brave dentist and his team in such a bad light! 

Dental teams have such strict regulations to work too, much more stringent than almost any other sector, so they get castigated here.  It's another severe overreaction and drama queen opportunity for those who relish such things. 

Today I have a long appointment for urgent root canal treatment. I'm not relishing it but I am more than happy that the dental team are keeping themselves safe. Let's focus on the professionals and cut out the abuse towards them. 

pollypenny

Gers said:

onwards&upwards said:world

True, but a lot of bashing of the OP has gone on and some very concerning posts claiming it’s absolutely fine to shove something into a person’s mouth without their agreement! 

I don't believe for even a second that it happened the way the OP reported it. 

The dentist must have been Welsh, so couldn't have been correct in OP's eyes. 😏

thepurplepixie

onwards&upwards said:

bap98189 said:

onwards&upwards said: True, but a lot of bashing of the OP has gone on and some very concerning posts claiming it’s absolutely fine to shove something into a person’s mouth without their agreement! 

How much detail should a dentist go into in advance? Last time I went to the dentist they didn't explain that they were going to put a cotton wool bud in my mouth or a mirror thingy. They are just routine tools used all the time. A dental dam is the same - 99.9% of patients have no issue with it. It seems to OP does, but unless they have made the dental staff aware that they are particularly nervous or have specific issues, it seems unlikely that the dentist is going to explain every last detail of the procedure.

My dentist tells me what she is doing as she does it.  Anything that is going to feel different or make a new noise, she briefly explains.  I see no reason why they shouldn't all do that, its good communication and good practice. 

Not to mention that this was a new thing for the OP, she thought she knew what to expect for a filling, and was taken aback and shocked by what was done to her with no warning.  That's not good, especially as this does seem to be a person with some additional needs/issues.  The fact that these issues are making her come across poorly in writing does not mean she doesn't deserve compassionate and considerate treatment that takes into account her unique needs. 

If she has special needs it would be more useful to recommend the special needs dental service rather than adding even more of a palava to the procedures dentists need to implement for everyone's safety.  As I said earlier it is hardly a shock to anyone without special needs that the dentist will need to put things in your mouth if you have treatment and do most of us want to sit through a talk about what each instrument is and why it is used.  Let professionals get on with their jobs safely.

silvercar

Sea_Shell said:

I just Googled dental dam, to see what it was.  OMG!!  They have "other" uses it would appear!!!

SO first dentists can't get hold of PPE, now there is a shortage of dental dams!

onwards&upwards

thepurplepixie said:

onwards&upwards said:

bap98189 said:

onwards&upwards said: True, but a lot of bashing of the OP has gone on and some very concerning posts claiming it’s absolutely fine to shove something into a person’s mouth without their agreement! 

How much detail should a dentist go into in advance? Last time I went to the dentist they didn't explain that they were going to put a cotton wool bud in my mouth or a mirror thingy. They are just routine tools used all the time. A dental dam is the same - 99.9% of patients have no issue with it. It seems to OP does, but unless they have made the dental staff aware that they are particularly nervous or have specific issues, it seems unlikely that the dentist is going to explain every last detail of the procedure.

My dentist tells me what she is doing as she does it.  Anything that is going to feel different or make a new noise, she briefly explains.  I see no reason why they shouldn't all do that, its good communication and good practice. 

Not to mention that this was a new thing for the OP, she thought she knew what to expect for a filling, and was taken aback and shocked by what was done to her with no warning.  That's not good, especially as this does seem to be a person with some additional needs/issues.  The fact that these issues are making her come across poorly in writing does not mean she doesn't deserve compassionate and considerate treatment that takes into account her unique needs. 

If she has special needs it would be more useful to recommend the special needs dental service rather than adding even more of a palava to the procedures dentists need to implement for everyone's safety.  As I said earlier it is hardly a shock to anyone without special needs that the dentist will need to put things in your mouth if you have treatment and do most of us want to sit through a talk about what each instrument is and why it is used.  Let professionals get on with their jobs safely.

I suspect the OP would not admit/agree/understand that she might have a different way of thinking/behaving than most.  This is the case with lots of people who would actually benefit from more specialise services.  Its one of the many reasons why healthcare professionals should never make assumptions and should treat everyone compassionately and as an individual. 

MoneySeeker1

onwards&upwards said:

thepurplepixie said:

onwards&upwards said:

Undervalued said:

onwards&upwards said:

Kim_kim said:

brook2jack2 said:

You do know that masks are to protect other people from you , rather than to protect you and that they will be compulsory in shops in England soon? By asking a hairdresser to see you and you don't have to wear a mask you are asking them at a financially very difficult time to put their business ahead of protecting their health and their other customers health, and all for a haircut.

Many people wear a mask all day with no problems at all and if you start acclimatising yourself now by wearing one for a minute at a time and then building up , you should be able to tolerate one pretty quickly rather than dismissing wearing it out of hand . You will then be doing your bit to protect other people the way you would expect to be protected yourself. 

Many people believe that wearing a mask cuts down on oxygen , which is a total myth see this https://youtu.be/vy7DlcCUBrk

I wouldn’t go to a hairdresser that was prepared to take risks with covid. 

People who are practice risky behaviour are why this virus is still dangerous for us months on.  

The hairdresser probably assumed that 'I don't wear masks' meant that money seeker had a legitimate reason for an exemption.  Considering that the exemptions include severe respiratory illness and mental health illness, it would be very harsh for these people to be refused all kinds of personal services for god knows how long until we have a vaccine. 

This particular poster might just be bloody minded (although having read a number of their threads now I'm not actually convinced there isn't a mental health condition/ASD/personality disorder at play) but that doesn't mean we shouldn't have compassion for all the people out there who are finding mask wearing etc. impossible, painful or traumatising. 

None of that makes what I said untrue, does it?

Yes but equally it is very "harsh" to expose the service provider (and by extension their family and other necessary contacts) to unnecessary risk when it is not essential. Sadly for every person that genuinely cannot tolerate a dental dam or whatever for genuine medical reasons, there will be rather more who simply choose not to or refuse to make an effort with something they find a bit unpleasant. As with most things they make it far more difficult for those with a genuine need.

I’m afraid that a risk of exposure to infectious diseases comes with the job for healthcare professionals.  It doesn’t exempt them from their duty of care to their patients. 

That doesn't mean they aren't entitled to protection and patients also need to play their part, you can't just demand people put themselves at unnecessary risk.

It’s not unnecessary risk, dental and mouth care is an absolutely vital part of health care, no less important than looking after any other part of the body.  

If a rape survivor, or a person with autism, cannot wear a ‘dental dam’ without suffering extreme distress, panic attacks or flashbacks, then it is not acceptable that as a result of circumstances beyond their control they don’t get any dental care for the foreseeable future.  

A doctor or a nurse wouldn’t refuse them essential care, they would put on their PPE, take whatever other precautions they could and then get on with it because that is the job.  

Couldn't have put it better myself.

It's about respect - practitioners (of any description) respecting the fact that they do not know where their patient "is at" and what the patient can (or cannot) put up with and therefore it is necessary to tell the patient (in advance!) of any change to standard procedures they plan on in advance and then the patient makes up their mind accordingly. 

The practitioner may (or may not) know (some people would say "believe"....instead of "know") that all these Lockdown "precautions" are totally unnecessary. But - whatever the position is - the patient is the one on the receiving end and the patient is absolutely correct in being clear that they will only have whatever procedures they personally are comfortable with.

Their (the patients) body = their choice. Same as with abortion (if need be), ie "Their body - their choice".

Speaking personally - I tend to assume that anyone that has qualified for that high-level of job will be an intelligent/thinking person and go on from there to think "Well if I'm an intelligent/thinking person and I know this is a load of old ******** - then surely they have also done their research and also know it is baloney basically....".

Gers

Changed my mind - haven't got enough breath to waste!

🤣🤣

thepurplepixie

onwards&upwards said:

thepurplepixie said:

onwards&upwards said:

bap98189 said:

onwards&upwards said: True, but a lot of bashing of the OP has gone on and some very concerning posts claiming it’s absolutely fine to shove something into a person’s mouth without their agreement! 

How much detail should a dentist go into in advance? Last time I went to the dentist they didn't explain that they were going to put a cotton wool bud in my mouth or a mirror thingy. They are just routine tools used all the time. A dental dam is the same - 99.9% of patients have no issue with it. It seems to OP does, but unless they have made the dental staff aware that they are particularly nervous or have specific issues, it seems unlikely that the dentist is going to explain every last detail of the procedure.

My dentist tells me what she is doing as she does it.  Anything that is going to feel different or make a new noise, she briefly explains.  I see no reason why they shouldn't all do that, its good communication and good practice. 

Not to mention that this was a new thing for the OP, she thought she knew what to expect for a filling, and was taken aback and shocked by what was done to her with no warning.  That's not good, especially as this does seem to be a person with some additional needs/issues.  The fact that these issues are making her come across poorly in writing does not mean she doesn't deserve compassionate and considerate treatment that takes into account her unique needs. 

If she has special needs it would be more useful to recommend the special needs dental service rather than adding even more of a palava to the procedures dentists need to implement for everyone's safety.  As I said earlier it is hardly a shock to anyone without special needs that the dentist will need to put things in your mouth if you have treatment and do most of us want to sit through a talk about what each instrument is and why it is used.  Let professionals get on with their jobs safely.

I suspect the OP would not admit/agree/understand that she might have a different way of thinking/behaving than most.  This is the case with lots of people who would actually benefit from more specialise services.  Its one of the many reasons why healthcare professionals should never make assumptions and should treat everyone compassionately and as an individual. 

That's all very well but it doesn't mean she can put the dentist, his staff and other patients at risk.  I would back my dentist to the hilt if he refused to do something dangerous because a selfish patient demanded it.
Directing someone to specialist services is compassionate and treating them as an individual.  My husband, big bloke not afraid of anything except the dentist, as he was taking handfuls of painkillers I would sayd, "You need" and he would shout, "Don't say it, don't say the word."  The word being dentist.  Specialist support means he now sees our family dentist and has a great relationship with her and the hygienist.  What could be more compassionate than getting him the treatment he needed?