More Than Four Out of Five Dentists Surveyed Reveal That Texting During Dental Treatment...

More Than Four Out of Five Dentists Surveyed Reveal That Texting During Dental
Treatment a Common Problem

CHICAGO, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than four out of five
dentists surveyed by the Chicago Dental Society revealed that patients send
and receive text messages on their cell phones while receiving dental care.

The survey was conducted between July 16th and July 25th via email and among
dentists in the Chicago Dental Society's Facebook Fan Page.

In addition to the dentists who said their patients regularly text in the
dental chair, 46 percent said this habit hampers their ability to provide
care. The high number of dental chair texters is also surprising, given that
32 percent of the dentists indicated they have a cell phone/mobile device
policy posted in a visible location in their office.

"We have signs up in the waiting room and directly in front of where the
patient sits stating that they need to turn off their phones but most simply
ignore them," said one respondent. Another dentist indicated texting or
answering calls can be a real barrier to delivering care because "many times
the patient sits up during treatment to answer a call or text."

But not every dentist views texting as a societal evil. Dr. Cissy Furusho, a
pediatric dentist in Chicago, said her young teen patients have mastered
texting to the point that they don't even have to look down at their phone
keyboard during treatment.

"This may surprise people, but most of my younger patients are very polite
about using their cell phones in the chair," she said. "The kids never answer
their phone while getting treatment."

Even dentists who don't have a stated policy against texting say it can still
interfere with communication between dentist and patient.

"It's more difficult to communicate with a patient about recommendations," one
respondent wrote.

Niles, Illinois dentist Dr. Alice Boghosian said that there is a time and
place for most things but texting or talking in the dental chair is a breach
of etiquette.

"I'm not militant about it because I know that there are parents with kids in
school who need to be in touch with their kids at times," she said. "However,
one young patient of mine had to interrupt me when his phone was buzzing in
his pocket." Dr. Boghosian said she was also surprised when a member of the
clergy kept answering his phone even though he admitted the calls were not
urgent.

"When patients insist on answering their phone or sending a text message, it
does interrupt dental care," she said.

For those who must text or talk on their cell phone while in the dental chair,
the Chicago Dental Society provides these tips:
-- If a dentist has a written policy against texting, respect it. Doing
so
may be in the best interest of your oral health
-- If no policy exists and you must text, ask the dentist if it will
interfere with treatment.
-- Arrange to have an agreed-upon signal with the dentist if you must
respond to texts.

-- Or, keep temptation at bay and leave your phone with the receptionist
for safekeeping. Your messages will be there for you to reply to after
your appointment is over.

About the Chicago Dental Society
The Chicago Dental Society is an association of more than 4,000 dentists in
the metro Chicago area and organizes the annual Midwinter Meeting, one of the
largest dental tradeshows in the country. The society is an advocate for
improving oral health for all.

SOURCE Chicago Dental Society

Chris Martin of Chicago Dental Society, +1-630-670-2745,
cmartin331@comcast.net