Today’s blog post is the start of a new series called Dentist Insights. Here at Paulton Dental & Implant Centre we have six different dentists, a hygienist and four dental nurses, so I have decided to ask them questions concerning dental care to get their insight.
Dr. Will Cheung is one of our amazing dentists here at Paulton Dental & Implant Centre. Will is a fantastic dentist and well known in the area, with patients requesting his dental care. Will works with us on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, therefore sees a large portion of our patients as he is able to book in any urgent care quickly. Will is a shining member of our practice with a glowing reputation and we are so happy to have him as part of our team.
Sammy is one of our lovely dental nurses. Sammy is always bubbly, smiling and happy to help. Her compassion and kindness make her an ideal nurse and she ensures everyone feels comfortable and cared for. Having been in the industry for numerous years, Sammy has a wealth of experience. She is an asset to the team and works alongside everyone harmoniously.
As Sammy and Will were working together in the surgery today, I decided to interview them together. I asked different questions to them both as they have different roles.
I started by speaking to Will. My first question was: What do most people get wrong with regards to oral health?
Will responded “Rinsing your mouth with water after brushing, it is much more beneficial if you leave some toothpaste in your mouth”. This seems a very key rule as many people tend to rinse their mouth out after brushing.
Will is experienced in supplying patients with teeth whitening, so I asked him; How can people get whiter teeth and are over the counter teeth whitening kits safe?
Social media advertises many different teeth whitening products, and it is important to understand that some products, specifically ones that are not dentist recommended, might not all be improving the longevity of your teeth. Will stated “Home whitening kits that we supply at our practice are very successful at lightening teeth. Over the counter kits can work, but as they are not made to measure, they can end up burning your gums”.
At Paulton Dental & Implant Centre we always advise our patients the best ways to improve their oral health, therefore advising treatment that doesn’t compromise the condition of your teeth.
As Will has previously mentioned not rinsing your mouth with water after brushing I asked him; Do you recommend using mouthwash, and if so which one?”
Will advised, “Fluoride will help with high caries risk. Corsodyl is best for gum disease but you cannot use both Fluoride and Corsodyl at the same time”
Electric toothbrushes are popular so I asked Will his opinion; Is an electric toothbrush really worth it?
Will has two daughters and understands the importance of caring for your children’s dental health, “Children and those with dental problems can really benefit from the use of an electric toothbrush. It is a personal preference of mine and certain ones have handy features such as pressure sensors ensuring you aren’t damaging your teeth. They also have a timer ensuring users brush their teeth for the correct amount of time, as when people brush their teeth manually, they usually brush for too short a time”.
As Will has two children, he is aware of the negative impacts that too much sugar can have on your teeth. I asked him; What is the worst thing you can eat/drink for your teeth?
Will said “Sticky sweets, glucose energy gel and Monster energy drinks are some of the worst things for your teeth”.
My next question for Will was; How do I prevent decay, gingivitis and other dental problems?
Will suggested “Regular brushing and a sensible diet as well as regular dental examinations”.
I concluded the discussion with Will by asking; What is your favourite thing about your job?
Similarly to our nurse Sammy, Will is a caring and compassionate dentist. We often recommend nervous patients to Will’s care as he is a very calm and composed person. Will told me his favourite thing about his job is “the ability to help relieve people’s pain and to help patients achieve the smile they want”.
Will is a lovely dentist and takes on numerous emergency appointments weekly to try and help patients with any dental pain they are experiencing. He goes above and beyond and we are so privileged to have him as one of our team. If you want to book in with Will don’t hesitate to ask, our reception team will work to find an appointment that works for you.
The first question I had for Sammy was; What is your favourite thing about your job?
She replied “Helping patients feel more comfortable at the dentist and seeing patients progress throughout their treatment. The team environment means that we all work together to achieve the best for our patients”.
Sammy also added that she enjoys the “Hands on work as well as learning new skills”.
As Sammy had mentioned her enthusiasm for helping patients I also asked; How would you deal with an anxious patient?
Sammy responded, “Staying calm and reassuring the patient as well as clearly communicating all options and the pros and cons of each course of treatment. A lot of people are scared of the dentist, so by explaining necessary treatment clearly, as well as being patient and empathetic, you can change their perception of the experiences they’ve had previously.”
Sammy also suggested “playing calming background music as a distraction and encourage deep breathing”.
As Sammy is an experienced dental nurse I enquired; What are your top tips for oral health?
Sammy advised , “Brush twice daily and floss but ensure you are using the correct technique and flossing correctly. Attending the dentist regularly for check-ups and not forgetting your tongue!”.
Sammy has worked at both private and NHS practices so I asked; What are the benefits of private dental care?
Sammy said, “Shorter wait times and more treatment options are some of the many benefits of private dental care. Patients are also given longer appointments as we aim to ensure any dental issues are spoken about and treated. Private care also tends to have advanced technology and high-end materials meaning there is greater focus on aesthetics and ensuring a patient is confident in their smile.”
Finally I asked Sammy; What got you into this job?
Sammy told me, “A desire to help people and work with them to help with any dental care needs they have. I also enjoy the teamwork and have a keen interest in dental health care.”
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