No digital X-rays. They believe that because they were always taken at 2yr intervals that I am wrong. I don’t want to make them think the previous hygienist was wrong either!

30 minutes child prophy or teenager with good OH
45 minutes for child/teenager poor OH or ortho
45 minutes for adults good OH
1 hour perio/ poor OH
New patients 1hour+ depending on opening — may return for multiple appointments if needed

I start by asking the patient if they know about gingivitis and how it leads to periodontitis. Depending on their level of knowledge of the subject I change how I approach it. The most important issue is when you talk in a “foreign language” to them. Try to remember what you knew before hygiene school and speak to them in that way while introducing a few words and explaining what they mean. Then I ask questions to see how much they really understood. Always document exactly what you explained instead of just saying “taught OHI” — you’ll never remember exactly what you’ve already explained. It’s best to be able to build upon that for the next appointment! 🙂

Yes you should use the cavitron. If you feel uncomfortable like I do with aerosols all day start wearing a face shield! I love mine because there is always some accidental splatter with what we do and you don’t have to worry. The only thing is that you still have to wear your mask even though hygienists have told me otherwise. I did read in school that masks were still required.

I typically wait around 5 minutes. Half of the time I am still finishing notes and he is already coming in. Other times it can be up to 15 but that is only when he is in the middle of something he can not stop. ( of course we always finish exactly when they can’t get up!!!)

I typically can finish a 6mo recall patient in 35-40 minutes. I normally have patients every 45 minutes. If needed I have made longer appointments for particularly difficult patients. Some are also great on starting 4mo recalls so it also doesn’t take as long. I generally am explaining OHI as I am working with demonstration at the end and the patients ask questions while we are waiting a few minutes for the dr to come in. If I have to run over the time limit that is fine I will try my hardest to not make them return to complete. I will usually know this a few minutes into the appointment so I can catch the receptionist as she walks by to let her know to explain to my next patient that it may be a few extra minutes! Patients do not seem to mind because they like to know they aren’t being rushed out the door– that I actually work until I’m done, not until the clock says I’m done. They appreciate thorough work.