grapes
03-22-2005, 04:26 PM
I called the office of one of the TOP tmj dentists. His dental assistant picked up the phone. I asked her if he stays in the room with you during your entire appointment or if he rotates between rooms (it's the latter).
I asked if he performs all the work himself. She told me that his dental assistants, including herself, perform some of the occlusal adjustments. I thought I didn't hear her correctly, so I asked the same question again. She told me that she and other assistants perform occlusal/splint adjustments.
She said, "I don't know what your POINT is?" (she picked up that I was shocked). I just sort of blubbered something and said goodbye.
Is this use of assistants common? Ethical? Legal?
I asked if he performs all the work himself. She told me that his dental assistants, including herself, perform some of the occlusal adjustments. I thought I didn't hear her correctly, so I asked the same question again. She told me that she and other assistants perform occlusal/splint adjustments.
She said, "I don't know what your POINT is?" (she picked up that I was shocked). I just sort of blubbered something and said goodbye.
Is this use of assistants common? Ethical? Legal?
Sponsor
72Lena
03-22-2005, 04:36 PM
I'm new to this....
What does "occlusal adjustments" mean? :confused:
What does "occlusal adjustments" mean? :confused:
Literati
03-22-2005, 07:14 PM
I called the office of one of the TOP tmj dentists. His dental assistant picked up the phone. I asked her if he stays in the room with you during your entire appointment or if he rotates between rooms (it's the latter).
I asked if he performs all the work himself. She told me that his dental assistants, including herself, perform some of the occlusal adjustments. I thought I didn't hear her correctly, so I asked the same question again. She told me that she and other assistants perform occlusal/splint adjustments.
She said, "I don't know what your POINT is?" (she picked up that I was shocked). I just sort of blubbered something and said goodbye.
Is this use of assistants common? Ethical? Legal?
Orthodontists do this all the time; dental assistants are typically the ones who put on braces, tighten, remove, etc. This is why so many dental students want to go into ortho--great pay, little work.
And a even more interesting story...a good friend of mine used to volunteer for an ortho who asked her to do most of the ortho procedures on his patients. Indolent? Yes. Irresponsible? Definitely. Keep in mind that my friend was ~2nd year in undergrad and was previously pre-vet.
I asked if he performs all the work himself. She told me that his dental assistants, including herself, perform some of the occlusal adjustments. I thought I didn't hear her correctly, so I asked the same question again. She told me that she and other assistants perform occlusal/splint adjustments.
She said, "I don't know what your POINT is?" (she picked up that I was shocked). I just sort of blubbered something and said goodbye.
Is this use of assistants common? Ethical? Legal?
Orthodontists do this all the time; dental assistants are typically the ones who put on braces, tighten, remove, etc. This is why so many dental students want to go into ortho--great pay, little work.
And a even more interesting story...a good friend of mine used to volunteer for an ortho who asked her to do most of the ortho procedures on his patients. Indolent? Yes. Irresponsible? Definitely. Keep in mind that my friend was ~2nd year in undergrad and was previously pre-vet.
Michelle99
03-22-2005, 10:01 PM
Wow. If assistants are adjusting the splints, it's probably allowable. I can't imagine there is any state in the union though that permits dental assistants to actually grind away on natural teeth. I sure hope there isn't. :eek:
Best wishes.
Best wishes.
grapes
03-22-2005, 10:22 PM
I called his state Dental Board. It's NOT allowable on splints or teeth. He's breaking the rule. I'm not certain his assistants adjust teeth or crowns, but they do perform occlusal adjustments on the splints.
TiffanyAnn
03-22-2005, 11:15 PM
OMG, this is dispicable. I sure hope this office is not treating you. Allowing dental assistants to perfom adjustments on splints could cause further injury. You should turn him into the state.
Michelle99
03-23-2005, 08:12 AM
In my state it is allowable for assistants to adjust splints. :( I always think that doctors who use assistants for splint adjustments don't take TMD very seriously.
sunshine123
03-23-2005, 07:19 PM
Dr. Olmos's dental assistant did the splint adjustments, and that was only when I said something didn't feel right. I didn't know any better in those days regarding splints needing adjusting.
grapes
03-23-2005, 07:42 PM
Sunshine,
I'm curious what the outcome was of your stint with Dr. O. Was your bite stabilized from the braces? Do you feel better now?
I'm curious what the outcome was of your stint with Dr. O. Was your bite stabilized from the braces? Do you feel better now?
sunshine123
03-24-2005, 03:53 PM
Hi grapes:
Dr. Olmos has all his patients wear a lower splint during the day and an upper splint at night. The upper splint is similar to an NTI. Unfortunately, the splints opened up my bite and increased my pain tenfold. I saw 3 dentists after him and am now with one who knows what he's doing. My bite is closing up nicely from the braces. Once in awhile I get a headache when my bite is changing, but nothing like before when I had constant headaches and facial pain.
Dr. Olmos has all his patients wear a lower splint during the day and an upper splint at night. The upper splint is similar to an NTI. Unfortunately, the splints opened up my bite and increased my pain tenfold. I saw 3 dentists after him and am now with one who knows what he's doing. My bite is closing up nicely from the braces. Once in awhile I get a headache when my bite is changing, but nothing like before when I had constant headaches and facial pain.
grapes
03-24-2005, 07:38 PM
I'm glad you're finally getting some relief.