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Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Patient
Patient Rights
- You have a right to choose your own dentist and schedule an appointment in a timely manner.
- You have a right to know the education and training of your dentist and the dental care team.
- You have a right to arrange to see the dentist every time you receive dental treatment, subject to any state law exceptions.
- You have a right to adequate time to ask questions and receive answers regarding your dental condition and treatment plan for your care.
- You have a right to know what the dental team feels is the optimal treatment plan as well as the right to ask for alternative treatment options.
- You have a right to an explanation of the purpose, probably (short and long-term) results, alternatives, and risks involved before consenting to a proposed treatment plan.
- You have a right to be informed of continuing health care needs.
- You have a right to know in advance the expected cost of treatment.
- You have a right to accept, defer, or decline any part of your treatment recommendations.
- You have a right to reasonable arrangements for dental care and emergency treatment.
- You have a right to receive considerate, respectful, and confidential treatment by your dentist and dental team.
- You have a right to expect the dental team members to use appropriate infection and sterilization controls.
- You have a right to inquire about the availability of processes to mediate disputes about your treatment.
(Adopted by the American Dental Association in 2009)
Your Responsibilities as a Patient
- You have the responsibility to provide, to the best of your ability, accurate, honest, and complete information about your medical history and current health status.
- You have the responsibility to report changes in your medical status and provide feedback about your needs and expectations.
- You have the responsibility to participate in your health care decisions and ask questions if you are uncertain about your dental treatment or plan.
- You have the responsibility to inquire about your treatment options and acknowledge the benefits and limitations of any treatment that you choose.
- You have the responsibility for consequences resulting from declining treatment or from not following the agreed-upon treatment plan.
- You have the responsibility to keep your scheduled appointments.
- You have the responsibility to be available for treatment upon reasonable notice.
- You have the responsibility to adhere to regular home oral health care recommendations.
- You have the responsibility to ensure that your financial obligations for health care received are fulfilled.
(Adopted by the American Dental Association in 2009)
American Dental Association Leads Fight for Patient Rights
The American Dental Association has supported legislation that will set a few basic rules to promote high-quality care and protect patients in an increasingly bottom-line-driven health care system.
ADA-member dentists have been instrumental in moving the patients' rights issue into the national spotlight. The nation appears closer than ever to finally seeing a comprehensive patient' bill of rights passed into law.
While Congress debates various versions of patient rights legislation, the insurance and managed care industries have long supported legislation that would fail to protect all privately insured Americans against unfair delays and denials of coverage by their health plans, according to the ADA. Some ill-fated bills left out critical protections, such as guaranteeing people the option of choosing their own doctors or creating mechanisms to address patients' grievances against health plans. One proposal even omitted freestanding dental plans, which could have left more than 120 million dental patients without these vital protections.
The American Dental Association continues to lobby for the enactment of bipartisan legislation to help ensure that health plans treat patients fairly and do not discriminate against dentists. Here are some of the key issues identified by the ADA:
- Coverage for freestanding dental plans, which account for the vast majority of Americans who have dental coverage.
- Patient choice, by guaranteeing access to at least one plan with a point-of-service option that allows patients the opportunity to choose their own doctors.
- Health plan accountability, through the availability of impartial, external review and by holding plans accountable when their decisions to delay or deny care harm patients.
Toothpaste Ingredients Looking at the label on most toothpaste, it would seem that you need an advanced degree in biochemistry to decipher the ingredient names.Propylene glycol, sodium bicarbonate, sodium pyrophosphate, anhydrous dicalcium phosphate and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate are all listed. Are you sure you want to put this stuff in your mouth? Fear not. Here is an explanation of which ingredients do what in various types of toothpaste: Hydrogen Peroxide This is one of the few ingredients actually proven to whiten teeth. It is, in essence, a bleach. H.P. is found in the kits dentists can prescribe to bleach your teeth, as well as in over-the-counter bleaching kits. The American Dental Association advises that you should bleach your teeth only under the recommendation and supervision of your dentist. Sodium Bicarbonate It sounds high-tech, but it's actually nothing more than old-fashioned baking soda. It's function in toothpaste is questioned by the ADA, although some dentists say it can help to remove coffee and food stains from your teeth. It is a mild abrasive, so it scours your teeth, helping to eliminate plaque. And it does make your teeth feel clean and smooth. Other abrasives you'll often find in toothpastes are dicalcium phosphate, kaolin, bentonite, silica and calcium carbonate (chalk). Sodium Pyrophosphate This is the active ingredient normally found in tartar-control toothpaste. It has been shown to prevent the formation of plaque when used regularly. However, once tartar hardens onto your teeth, it can't be removed at home. Only a professional cleaning will get rid of it. Propylene Glycol This is a widely-used humectant - an ingredient that keeps the toothpaste moist, and prevents the solid and liquid ingredients from separating. Other common humectants in toothpaste are sorbitol, pentatol and glycerol. Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate This is a detergent-type ingredient that causes toothpaste to foam in your mouth. You may also see ingredients such as sodium stearyl fumarate and sodium lauryl sulfate. Some believe that the latter (SLS) induces canker sores in people sensitive to this ingredient. As with any product, if use causes discomfort, stop using it and consult your dentist or doctor. Sodium Saccharin This is the least-expensive sweetener, so it is the one you are most likely to see in most toothpastes. It is 600 times sweeter than table sugar, so only a small amount is used to sweeten your toothpaste. Other common toothpaste sweeteners are aspartame and ammoniated diglyzzherizins. Desensitizing Ingredients These are used in toothpastes specially formulated for sensitive teeth. Strontium chloride and potassium nitrate are the two ingredients recognized by the ADA to reduce discomfort if your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold foods. How do they work? They block the transmission of pain to the nerves in your teeth. They don't work immediately - it takes 4-6 weeks for these ingredients to desensitize your teeth. Triclosan This is an antibacterial agent that was recently approved for use in toothpaste by the FDA. It has been used for years as the active ingredient in antibacterial soaps, lotions, sponges and cutting boards. In toothpaste, triclosan has been clinically proven to fight gingivitis in adults by inhibiting the growth of plaque-causing bacteria. Colgate Total, manufactured and distributed by Colgate-Palmolive Co., is the only toothpaste that currently contains the disinfectant triclosan. Other toothpaste manufacturers are expected to follow suit, but since triclosan is considered a drug, all toothpastes that contain it will have to obtain FDA approval before going on the market.
Tooth Sensitivity Do you have or do you know someone who has sensitive teeth? If your answer is yes, you will have a true appreciation for the content of this page. What Is Tooth Sensitivity? It can be defined as a painful reaction in one of more teeth triggered by hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and drinks. This pain can be sharp, sudden and shoot deep into the nerve endings of your teeth. Apart from a cavity or a missing filling, the most common cause of tooth sensitivity is exposed dentin on the roots of your teeth. Normally, the dentin (the second, more sensitive layer of the tooth) is surrounded and protected by your enamel, cementum (special root covering) and gums. The cause or mechanism of dentinal sensitivity is still not well understood. It is believed that the little tubes that connect the dentin to the nerve or pulp serve as sensory conductors. That sensation may be one of pain. OUCH!! Causes Of Exposed Root Surfaces Which May Result In Dentinal Sensitivity: Brushing too hard - Over a period of time, brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush may wear away enamel or cementum and cause the dentin to be exposed. Recession of the gums - Movement of gums away from the tooth due to periodontal disease will expose the root surface. Gum disease - Inflamed and sore gum tissue may also cause sensitivity due to the loss of supporting ligaments which exposes root surface. Other Causes Of Sensitive Teeth: Cracked teeth - Chipped or broken teeth may fill up with bacteria from plaque and enter the pulp causing an inflammatory reaction. Grinding your teeth - Grinding or clenching your teeth may wear down the enamel and expose underlying dentin. Plaque - The presence of plaque on the root surfaces can cause sensitivity. What To Do At Home: Maintain good oral hygiene - Continue to clean all parts of your teeth and mouth thoroughly. Use a soft bristled toothbrush -This will result in less toothbrush abrasion of the tooth surface. Use desensitizing toothpaste - There are many on the market. With regular use you should feel a decreased sensitivity. Try spreading a thin layer on the exposed roots with your finger or a Q-tip before you go to bed. You'll need to find the product that works for you, likely through trial and error. Consider what you eat - If you frequently eat foods high in acids, such as citrus fruits (example: sucking on lemons), they can gradually dissolve the enamel over time, leading to dentin exposure. The citric acids may aggravate the hypersensitivity and initiate a painful reaction. Use fluoridated dental products - As an example, with a daily application of a fluoridated mouthrinse, hypersensitivity usually decreases. Ask us about a daily fluoride rinse for your home use. Professional Care: Ask us what may be used to help reduce sensitivity. Some of the most common treatments are: White fillings to cover exposed root surfaces Fluoride varnish applied to the exposed root surface Dentin sealer applied to the exposed root surface
Tooth Anatomy
