Scenario: Tight schedule and patients presenting with jaw pain.
You have seen 30 patients today and three patients present with jaw complaints. You don't have time to fully evaluate each case, nor do you feel confident that you will be able to retain the level of detail each one presents, given all that's happened today.
- Solution: Your front desk has each patient complete the Jaw Pain Questionnaire and provides the If You Have Jaw Pain Flyer to read in the waiting room, so patients can better understand jaw pain and can relax knowing they will receive treatment today. The appointment starts with your review of the Jaw Pain Questionnaire, initial evaluation, and discussion of the use of QuickSplint and HEALS Patient Self-Care Measures. You prescribe muscle relaxants and schedule a follow-up.
Scenario: Patient has an acute flare up again.
The patient wants pain relief. In the back of your mind, you can visualize how hard she is clenching as she is talking about her condition. You can see her today, but you can’t deliver a new custom splint like the one she stopped wearing last year. Her jaw needs a little rest and she needs to retrain certain oral habits, and she needs it today before she gets worse.
-OR-
Scenario: Patient calls, he can barely open his jaw today.
The patient was referred to you by your favorite colleague, and his endo surgery yesterday went well. The patient filled the pain med prescription, but today he can barely open his jaw. He wants to know what to do and he sounds freaked out.
- Solution: The staff accommodates the patient's ability to come to the office today. A dental assistant is lined up to deliver the QuickSplint® and provides the HEALS Patient Self-Care Measures. You stop by to confirm the fit of the QuickSplint® bite plane and discuss why this sometimes happens with jaw joint and muscle sprain/strain. You prescribe muscle relaxants if appropriate. Staff schedules follow-up appointments in 1 to 3 days as appropriate.
Thankfully, your staff knows what to do. From the front desk, to treatment coordinator, to dental assistant, they all do their part to encourage the patients to start treatment with QuickSplint® temporary bite plane.