You'll never know if you never try it

Let’s talk some more about four handed dentistry.

Question: If the only people who appreciate the benefits of four handed dentistry are those that use it, and we have a cohort of DAs that are trained in four handed but their dentist is not interested in being helped, what’s the answer?

How do we help the next generation see the light?

Since we know change doesn’t happen unless you are problem aware, how do we demonstrate the value to these dentists?

I work with young dentists and some dental students and introduce them to CEREC, modern concepts of tooth preparation and bonding.

Something that I do at the same time is train them in four handed dentistry.

Mind you, this is not through altruism, it's because if I sit to look at the prep or jump in to demonstrate something, I’m used to the instruments being passed to me or being in a certain place.

But isn’t that what a system is?

And don't systems lead to quality and safety, as well as efficiency?

That's why there’s systems throughout the healthcare professions as well as the most commonly given example of aviation.

So why, as dentists, do we have systems for our reception team to follow, for our steri team to follow, for WH&S and CPR.

And yet, when it comes to what we spend most of our day doing, dentistry, we become  completely un systematic.

In dental school we get used to managing our instruments and materials on our own and it's easy to carry that on when we start work.

We can fall into the trap of not exploring what our DA knows.

Often they are sitting beside you ready to help or organise or pass instruments or help with the rubber dam, and we just don't ask them.

Often this same DA could re-organise your workspace, anticipate your needs and pass you what you require before you even know you need it. 

And yet I see resistance to that, especially when the dentist is under pressure. If everything is on the dentist's side then the DA is merely an observer.

So if you're not doing four handed, or have tried and failed, then ask your DA if they can help train you, it won't take long, 

Your back will thank you and your patients will notice and remark that ”you work so well as a team”. The quality of your work will improve and your stress levels will be reduced.

Give it a try, your DA will love it and you won't look back.

Be brave and embrace the change

Have a great week

Rosie

Rosie