Communication!

I don't reveal patients' info here.but just to share that i'm really excited when i can communicate with patient. english and mandarin is no problem for me. but i really think it's a sense of achievement when patient can understand my broken teochew. ha. and the praising from fellow classmates when they said i can talk to the patient in this language they probably can't speak. i value the importance of communication and would like to learn more. i took up malay classes last time but can barely speak a few words due to lack of practice. The next hill to climb is probably to learn cantonese.

I proposed sharing sessions to share my limited knowledge on medical terms in mandarin but so far no takers. hee.

Serious Child talk

The Milk Teeth
Facts about deciduous/milk teeth:
•Proper care of a child's deciduous teeth (also known as "baby" or primary teeth) is very important as these teeth hold space for the future eruption of permanent teeth.
•If a baby tooth decays or is removed too early, the space necessary for the permanent teeth is lost and can only be regained through orthodontic treatment.
•Infected baby teeth can cause the permanent teeth to develop improperly resulting in stains, pits, and weaker teeth.


•Thumb sucking
is a natural occurrence seen in many babies and newborns as it gives them satisfaction.
During the very first years of life , thumb sucking is not abnormal. If thumb sucking continues beyond 4 to 5 years of age, it is better to consult your dentist. If the habits is allowed to continue, it can lead to the upper front teeth being push forward, and lower front teeth inwards, towards the tongue.
•Milk bottle syndrome (rampant caries)-
•Diet- high calcium, milk cheese;
•non-sticky food and candies

KIDS CAN BE YOUNG WARRIORS AND FIGHT THE BUGS IN THE MOUTH TOO!
KNOWING THE importance of milk teeth, it's paramount that you educate your child to start caring for their teeth as habit.
•Children up to 8 years: Scrub technique advised- easier for kids with less dexterity
•similarly, Divide into 6 segments; 3 surfaces for each tooth.
•Use GENTLE to-and-fro strokes/Side-to-side short scrub technique


•Age:
From a very early age (6 months) once the teeth erupt
•Frequency:
Teach them to brush 2times daily- morning and night; and to see a dentist at least twice a year.
·brush for at least 2 minutes
•Toothbrush-
use a extra-SOFT, brush with a compact SMALL brush head.
•Tooth paste: Use fluoridated, flavored toothpaste in SMALL PEA size=> don’t swallow toothpaste- spit out!
•Brushing tips:
•Cleaning can be made easier if the child can see what is happening, so standing in front of a mirror can help. It’s also easier if the parent/carer stands or kneels behind the child.

BLEEDING GUMS??

•slight bleeding may occur for a few days if you haven't brush or floss properly for sometime before that. This is due to “dirty” unhealthy gums. Don't be too alarmed and be put off by brushing. Proper Brushing and Flossing will reverse it. If it persists however, do see a dentist.
•(but refrain from brushing with hard brush or excessive forces that may injure the gums)


Disclaimer: this is merely for the reference and not to substitute for professional dental and medical advice with your dentist.

BRUSHING IT RIGHT!

What is dental plaque?
A sticky, invisible film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. The bugs in the dental plaque can cause tooth decay (holes on teeth) and gum diseases. the key in brushing and flossing is to remove this and fight the war with the bugs!

Video on brushing and flossing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGmcAwMYEZ8


Animation on on brushing and flossing
http://www.ada.org/public/games/animation/interface.asp


Getting Your Gear and Weapon Ready-*tada*--- The toothbrush
•SOFT bristles which will not cause damage to either hard or soft tissues -hard bristles are therefore not recommended
•SMALL brush head- small enough to reach less accessible areas such as the lingual surfaces of posterior teeth
•REPLACE your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
•RINSE your toothbrush after each use and allow to air dry
•Toothbrushes should not be shared with anyone!
The toothpaste
•Get one that is fluoridated with 1000ppm fluoride

Putting it into AcTioN! Fight the WaR!!!!!!!

•Brush SYSTEMATICALLY (in order)
•Divide your mouth into 6 segments:
•Upper: Left à Front à Right
•Lower: Left à Front à Right.
•Each tooth has 3 surfaces- inner, outer, biting surface.

Bass technique :

Always ANGLE the brush 45º to the gumline to clean the gums and tooth surface under the gums and JIGGLE to and FRO GENTLY. (idea is to insert row of bristles under the gums to clean)

1.Start by brushing outer surfaces of the upper teeth.
2.Move Left à Front à Right
3.REPEAT for lower teeth.

4.Proceed to clean the
inner surfaces of upper teeth.
5.Move Left à Front à Right .
6.REPEAT for lower teeth.
7. Finally, brush the chewing surfaces of the upper then the lower.
8. And don’t forget to brush the TONGUE too!

Briefly on the course (really briefly)

We spent 2 years in basic medical subjects like anatomy(study of body parts), physiology(study of normal body function), biochemistry, pharmacology(drugs!), pathology(diseases), microbiology, and other dental subjects like dental materials and oral biology, tooth morphology etc, and many more! other than diactic lectures, we have alot of lab and pre-clinical lessons where we learn about all the fun hands-on of dentistry! from filling teeth to making dentures!
Well, lessons are packed from 8-5pm or later and it's hectic but dentistry is interesting!
:)

And in mid-feb 2008 onwards, we can move on to provide real dental services to others!