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Dentists Play Key Role In Addressing Mental Health Issues

Dentists Play Key Role in Addressing Mental Health Issues
by Ed Rabinowitz

When self-care is lacking, or a change in self-care is noticed, including patients missing appointments, it opens the door for dentists to begin a conversation.

The latest Vital Signs report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that in 2016, nearly 45,000 Americans age 10 or older died by suicide. Not only is suicide the 10th leading cause of death, it is one of just three leading causes that are on the rise.

And dentists are uniquely positioned to play an important role in reversing this trend.

“Patients come to us and they stay with us because they develop a level of trust,” says Edmond Hewlett, D.D.S., professor of restorative dentistry and associate dean for outreach and diversity at the UCLA School of Dentistry. “When they trust you, they’re going to talk to you. And if we’re listening, we can gain an enormous amount of insight into our patients.”

FREQUENT INTERACTION

Hewlett points out that dentists review their patients’ health histories, including prescription medications they’re taking, on a regular basis. That information alone provides insight into a patient’s health status.

“We’re in a special position here because of the nature of the relationship dentists develop with their patients,” Hewlett says. “It’s inherent in our dental care delivery model that we spend time with our patients. That interaction during an individual visit tends to be pretty substantial.”

Patients, however, don’t only interact with the dentist. They could be interacting with the dental assistant, hygienist, or practice manager. As such, Hewlett stresses, staff should be made aware of the important role they play as well.

“There’s no such thing as a throwaway comment when our patients are talking to us,” he says. “Tell staff, ‘I want you to listen very carefully, and let me know what you’re hearing from them.’ That’s easy to do, and it empowers your staff to be an important part of this very important role we can play.”

Read full article on DMD Today.