Patients: the core of dentistry
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 13th June 2022
Clinicians, alongside various other healthcare providers, are vital advocates for the good health of the nation. Now more than ever, there is a wealth of information regarding the dangers to oral health and how to combat them. Similarly, patients are more aware of dental procedures from various sources, such as the internet. However, dentistry is a deep and complex field, and it is only from their clinician that the patient will receive appropriate, in-depth information regarding their own oral health and dental treatments, as opposed to material they’ve sourced elsewhere.
Thus, implementing a more patient-centric approach will aid in educating and guiding patients with relevant, tailored advice. It will also help when devising a treatment pathway that best suits the patient, taking into consideration their overall health, lifestyle and biology. Additionally, understanding certain barriers that may deter some patients from receiving care will assist in strategising the most suitable approach, to ensure they can access dental care confidently and safely.
Make treatment planning personal
Some of the literature on the topic of patient-centred care (PCC) has suggested that there is a lack of understanding regarding the features of PCC within dentistry.[i] A systematic review[ii] was undertaken with the objective, “What core elements of patient-centred care have previously been described in relation to dentistry that are based on primary research?”. Researchers noted that communication and the relationship between the clinician and patient appeared to be the cornerstones of PCC, although they similarly stated that there was a lack of evidence to sufficiently understand PCC within dentistry. Future research, adequately representing a patient perspective of PCC, is needed.
Communication is key throughout the entirety of treatment, but even more so during the planning stages. For instance, a patient with a compromised tooth will have several options available to them. Saving the tooth is certainly a priority, so the clinician may suggest endodontic treatment. However, where this has a poor prognosis or the patient expresses a desire for a longer-term solution, extraction and a fixed prosthesis could be a more appropriate option. By communicating the available treatment options, the patient gains a deeper understanding of what pathway is more appropriate for them. Dental implants are not ‘real’ teeth, but they still require a strict oral health regime to ensure their success and the overall good oral health of the patient. As long as the patient fully understands that their compliance with meticulous oral hygiene is vital in the aftermath of treatment, they’ll be able to better care for their health.
By including the patient more closely during the planning stages, clinicians can ensure that they understand and feel confident when sharing their queries and concerns. Not only is this highly beneficial for the clinician when making an accurate plan for the procedure, but it can influence patient satisfaction and help improve outcomes.i
Patient-centred tools and tricks
The current developments within dentistry have allowed clinicians to provide care that is more comfortable and less time-consuming than is possible with traditional methods. For instance, digitalised modalities such as intraoral scanners have been favoured over conventional impression techniques by patients, as they are considered more comfortable.[iii] The benefits of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems have been extensively studied, with research showing their benefits in the fields of endodontics, periodontics, dental implantology and management of temporomandibular joint disorders.[iv] Digitalised workflows allow all members of the dental team to work effectively to provide swift results to their patients. CAD/CAM technologies are able to streamline traditionally time-consuming processes, such as the fabrication of dental restorations, which can be performed much faster with digital software.[v]
Certain dental procedures have been developed to be more inclusive to a range of patients, such as those with severe atrophic maxilla. Zygomatic implants provide an alternative to traditional bone grafts and sinus floor lift techniques. Research[vi] has shown that zygomatic implants are a satisfactory, non-grafting option for patients with maxillary atrophy. As a result of this, zygomatic implant therapy is less invasive and can provide opportunities for immediate loading, granting functional and aesthetic benefits to the patient much sooner than with alternatives.[vii] They have also demonstrated high survival rates. [viii] [ix]
Put your patients in good hands
For clinicians who encounter challenging dental implant cases, they can refer their patients to the Centre for Oral-Maxillofacial and Dental Implant Reconstruction, an international ZAGA centre based in Manchester. The proficient team, led by Specialist Oral Surgeon Professor Cemal Ucer, are experts in a range of complex treatments, including zygomatic implants. The ZAGA concept, standing for Zygoma Anatomy-Guided Approach, is implemented by the team to minimise complications and maximise outcomes in complex cases. The clinic is also equipped with high-grade technologies and equipment, which allows the team to perform treatment to the highest standard.
When dental care is centred around the patient, clinicians can forge positive and constructive relationships with their patients, and ensure dental treatments have a higher chance of success. With patients at the forefront, dentistry can continue to develop and evolve in the right direction.
Please contact Professor Ucer at ucer@icedental.institute or Mel Hay at mel@mdic.co
01612 371842
[i] Scambler, S., Delgado, M. and Asimakopoulou, K. (2016). Defining patient-centred care in dentistry? A systematic review of the dental literature. British Dental Journal, [online] Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2016.777#ref-CR4 [Accessed 24 Feb. 2022].
[ii] Mills, I., Frost, J., Cooper, C., Moles, D.R. and Kay, E. (2014). Patient-centred care in general dental practice – a systematic review of the literature. BMC Oral Health, [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4054911/ [Accessed 24 Feb. 2022].
[iii] Burhardt, L., Livas, C., Kerdijk, W., van der Meer, W.J. and Ren, Y. (2016). Treatment comfort, time perception, and preference for conventional and digital impression techniques: A comparative study in young patients. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, [online] Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889540616300622 [Accessed 24 Feb. 2022].
[iv] Jain, S., Choudhary, K., Nagi, R., Shukla, S., Kaur, N. and Grover, D. (2019). New evolution of cone-beam computed tomography in dentistry: Combining digital technologies. Imaging Science in Dentistry, [online] Available at: https://synapse.koreamed.org/articles/1133854 [Accessed 24 Feb. 2022].
[v] Turkyilmaz, I., Wilkins, G.N. and Varvara, G. (2021). Tooth preparation, digital design and milling process considerations for CAD/CAM crowns: Understanding the transition from analogue to digital workflow. Journal of Dental Sciences. [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8403806/ [Accessed 24 Feb. 2022].
[vi] Agbara, R., Goetze, E., Koch, F. and Wagner, W. (2017). Zygoma implants in oral rehabilitation: A review of 28 cases. Dental Research Journal, [online] Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5713059/ [Accessed 24 Feb. 2022].
[vii] V, G.L. (n.d.). Use of Zygomatic Implants for Atrophic Maxilla Rehabilitation – A Clinical Case Report of Unilateral Zygomatic Implant. Journal of Oral Health and Dental Science, [online] Available at: http://fulltext.scholarena.co/Use-of-Zygomatic-Implants-for-Atrophic-Maxilla-Rehabilitation-A-Clinical-Case-Report-of-Unilateral-Zygomatic-Implant.php [Accessed 25 Feb. 2022].
[viii] Fernando Duarte., et al. “Graft-Less Solution for Extreme Atrophic Maxilla: Zygomatic and Short Implants Combined – Case Series”. Scientific Archives of Dental Sciences 3.7 (2020): 20-25.
[ix] Hackett, S., El‐Wazani, B. and Butterworth, C. (2020). Zygomatic implant‐based rehabilitation for patients with maxillary and mid‐facial oncology defects: A review. Oral Diseases. [online] Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/odi.13305 [Accessed 25 Feb. 2022].
