Brandon Cairo, DMD, who practices in Worcester, Mass., recently shared with Becker’s the most common questions his staff gets from patients and how they address them.
Note: This response has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Q: What are some of the most common questions about oral health you get asked by patients? How do you address these questions?
Dr. Brandon Cairo: The four most common questions our hygienists and I receive are the following:
- Why do my gums bleed?
- Why are my teeth sensitive to temperature and during cleanings?
- Why does my breath smell bad?
- How would I know if I were grinding or clenching?
We address these questions typically with a five-minute verbal explanation with the more straightforward questions. For questions that may require more extensive answers, I try to take a more Socratic approach involving more questions directed toward the patient to have them eventually see a pathway to understanding their problem.