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Patients’ Texting is Testing Dentists’ Patience

August 31st, 2009 · 2 Comments

cell-textingThe Chicago Dental Society ran a Facebook poll back in June/July: Is cell phone texting by patients in the dental chair a problem for the dental care team? Four out of five responding dentists said that their patients do text in the chair, and nearly half of those dentists gave a hearty “yes!” in regards to texting causing a problem.

Oddly enough, about a third of the responding dentists revealed that they post their “no cell phones/mobile device” policy for patients to see. One dentist said that patients sometimes sit up during treatment to answer a cell phone call.

Not all dentists think texting is a problem. Kids, for example, who are occupied with texting may feel more at ease during treatment. And kids, as you know, can text with their eyes closed, so they don’t even have to look at the cell phone keypad.

CDS urges patients to respect their dentists’ requests in regards to cell phone usage, and if no sign is posted, ask the dentist if texting during treatment would be a problem. Alternately, if you must receive and respond to texts and the dentist prohibits this, come up with a sign to the dentist to stop treatment so that you can take care of your business. The best advice for chronic texters? Leave the cell phone with the dentist’s receptionist!

For those patients who have developed a serious addiction to texting, maybe they should consider an addiction recovery program.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162153.php

Tags: Administrative

2 responses so far ↓

  • 1 cosmetic dentist in salem ma // Sep 5, 2009 at 11:23 am

    I think it is not good to allow a patient texting during treatment. It is not a good manner.

  • 2 cosmetic dentist in salem ma // Sep 5, 2009 at 11:23 am

    I think it is not good to allow a patient texting during treatment. It is not a good manner.

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