Case study
You have just greeted your patient in the reception area, introduced yourself, and asked her to follow you to the operatory, where you will be taking a full mouth series of radiographs. Once seated, you notice that the patient appears apprehensive. As you get ready to begin the procedure, you engage her in a conversation to assess why she appears so nervous. The patient eventually tells you that her last experience taking radiographs could not be completed because she experienced a gagging problem. She states that she was so embarrassed by it that she never went back to that practice.
1. Explain how you would respond to this patient. Include how you would develop a rapport, project confidence, and maintain authority.
2. Prepare a conversation with this patient where your responses reassure her about your ability to perform the procedure; how the procedure today can be different than her past experience; and what techniques you have to help her control the gag reflex.
3. Answer the following questions:
a. Why should you not tell this patient that gagging is all in her mind?
b. What area of the oral cavity should you try placing the image receptor first, and why?
c. What is the purpose of thanking and praising the patient for her cooperation with the procedure?
d. What is the difference between psychogenic and tactile stimuli? Give an example of each.
e. What is the purpose of asking the patient to do breathing exercises during radiographic exposures?
f. What is the purpose of rinsing with ice water or placing salt on the tongue?
g. If you use any of these tricks and techniques, why is it best to tell the patient what trick you are planning to use?