Week 5 – The Human Side of Dentistry

Simar S -

Throughout my senior project at the dental clinic, I’ve observed various dental procedures ranging from routine cavity fillings to intricate general anesthesia cases. While technical proficiency has always impressed me, I’ve also come to recognize that dentistry is also inherently about connecting with patients on an emotional level.

I’ve observed a number of cases involving general anesthesia, but one sticks out to me the most – the very first general anesthesia case I experienced. When I asked the anesthesiologist what happened to the boy’s teeth and what they were doing, he responded by telling me the boy required a full mouth rehabilitation. A full mouth rehabilitation, by definition, is a comprehensive dental treatment plan that aims to restore the health, function, and aesthetics of the entire mouth by addressing various dental issues through a combination of restorative, cosmetic, and general dentistry procedures; which should convey the seriousness of the situation. I immediately blamed the parents, thinking they should never have let their child get to this point. The anesthesiologist, however, told me not to be so quick to blame them, and that we don’t know the full story. Later, as I discovered by doing some research, likelihood of cavities is linked to genetics (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3267319/) and it could have been possible that he was just more susceptible. The parents, as I also found out, were equally distraught, doing all they could and it not being enough. I realized that rather than blaming patients for what they’re going through, it’s important to understand and empathize with them instead.

Just today, I encountered a grandmother who politely requested that I don’t observe her grandchild’s dental procedure, describing her reasons as “personal.” I was initially taken aback, since this had never happened before, but I soon realized the deeper implications of her request. Dentistry, much like other healthcare fields, often intersects with vulnerability, anxiety, and emotional discomfort, and this interaction reinforced the importance of respecting patient privacy, dignity, and emotional boundaries. As such, I left the room and waited for Dr. Singh to finish.

These experiences have underscored the necessity of empathy as a core component of dentistry. While observing the technical skills required to perform procedures accurately and efficiently, I’ve also learned that successful healthcare providers actively cultivate compassion, patience, and understanding. Patients bring their own stories, fears, and backgrounds to each appointment, and responding with sensitivity significantly enhances their overall experience.

As I continue this project, I am increasingly committed to embracing not just clinical excellence but also the empathy that transforms good dental care into exceptional patient-centered care.

A graph of the most anxiety inducing factors of a dental visit. According to the graph, the most anxiety inducing factor is an unsympathetic dentist. The graph was taken from https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Percentage-distribution-of-dental-anxiety-provoking-factors-in-clinical-setting-according_fig1_351461344
A graph describing reasons as to why people don’t visit the dentist. After cost, the most prohibiting factor was being afraid of the dentist. According to the other graph, an unsympathetic dentist is what causes the most anxiety. As such, it can be assumed that a dentist that lacks sympathy is a very big reason as to why a lot of people do not go to dentists. This is why it is important to be understanding and kind towards patients. This graph was taken from https://www.statista.com/statistics/699622/reasons-for-not-visiting-the-dentist-us-adults/

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Comments:

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    connor_r
    How did your perspective on patient care shift after learning more about the boy’s situation and his family’s efforts?
    April 7, 2025 at 6:40 pm - Reply
    akash_k
    This is fascinating! I never thought about this before, keep up the great work!
    April 8, 2025 at 10:38 am - Reply
    simar_s
    Connor - Great question! I learned to not be so quick to judge. Everybody's story is different, and we need to put out personal feelings aside in order to provide the best healthcare possible.
    April 8, 2025 at 5:43 pm - Reply
    puja_k
    What specific changes do you see in doctors when dealing with children?
    April 10, 2025 at 12:05 pm - Reply
    simar_s
    Puja - That's interesting to think about. Because my clinic only deals with children, I don't have any basis for comparison. However, I assume that dentists can be more direct with adult patients.
    April 15, 2025 at 8:55 pm - Reply

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