Dentists
are not what I like to call patients’ “favorite people.” There are few who
embrace dental hygiene and show up faithfully to their six-month checkups with
a smile on their faces and a skip in their steps. For the most part, like
eating your vegetables and exercising, going to the dentist is just on most
people’s “must do” list. When I tell people what I do for a living, I either
get enthusiastic approval, and I can’t tell if it is genuine or not, or a
grimace and a statement of how they don’t love going to the dentist.
I’ve
been in practice for about five years, and a few weeks ago, for the first time
ever, I had a patient ask if he could hug me. I was a little surprised at first,
but it didn’t take me long to agree. This man had just completed a more than two-year
treatment that included orthodontics and some restorative work. I had briefly
suggested this treatment the first time he came into the office for health and
cosmetic reasons, not thinking much of it. On the day he completed the treatment,
here he was thanking me for making
this suggestion and giving him the smile he always wanted.
It’s
so easy to get discouraged in our line of work. Patients sometimes complaining
about things beyond our control, making unreasonable demands, and not listening
to our instructions can make us feel like we are losing our minds. No matter
what the outcome, we are all out there every day, just trying to do our best. It
is nice to feel appreciated by our patients.
If
you are reading this and have had a great experience with a health care
provider, I encourage you to let them know the next time you go to see them! It
will put a smile on their faces, a warm feeling in their hearts, and the desire
to do an even better job tomorrow than they did today. I don’t think anyone would
turn down a hug; just make sure you ask first!
Happy
holidays!
Lilya
Horowitz, DDS, FAGD
3 comments:
Sometimes it's hard to get a dentist to explain all the options, and that's sometimes what is most important! You obviously turned someone's life around and for that you did deserve a hug!
As a dentist I think that this is a great read! Thank you!
I disagree. I had an experience, in which, a dental assistant hugged me twice in the same month. A hug is an intimate expression. The assistant could not respect my personal space. I reported all to the dentist and she did absolutely nothing. I had to stop going to this dental practice. Recently, I reported the abuse to the Florida Health Department.
My point is that friends and family can hug, but in a professional environment it can be a springboard for harassment.
Thank you.
Christopher Roberts
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