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Vikas Sharma. Dated: 5/25/2018 11:08:06 AM

Continuing our
weekly feature, we are here today with dental specialist Karun Gupta, who shares about some important aspects and problems which are being faced by him daily.
Vikas Sharma
VS: Why did you choose dental assisting as a profession?
KG: My desire to help others bring me into this profession. As a teenager, I chipped my front tooth in an accident. My dentist was able to see me right away and the compassion shown to me shaped my experience for the better. I knew immediately that I wanted to create the same type of experience for others.”
VS: How do you explain the need for a dental procedure to a patient who doesn’t understand the importance of the treatment?
KG: Often times, a patient has difficulty understanding the need for dental treatment, especially if they don’t feel pain or can’t see the problematic area.
My go-to strategy is using an intraoral camera to take a picture of the tooth that needs treatment. Once the patient sees the condition of their deteriorating tooth, my case is much easier to make! I also use teeth models and drawings to better explain tooth anatomy, the procedure and what can happen if they fail to take action.”
VS: What are your own oral hygiene practices?
KG: For me, oral health is an important piece of overall health. Plague can affect your body well beyond your mouth, causing heart problems and other major health issues. In addition, a healthy mouth keeps you looking younger and greatly impacts confidence. Just like I would advise my patients, I brush twice daily, floss regularly and see my dentist every 6 months for regular cleanings and checkups. Keeping my teeth healthy is highly important to me.
VS: What do you know about root canal treatment?
KG: A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form.
VS: How painful is a root canal?
KG: When people are told that they need a root canal treatment, they usually think about pain. However, the pain they feel is caused by an infection in the tooth, not by root canal treatment. ... The root canal procedure itself is painless. A local anesthetic numbs the tooth and the surrounding area.
VS: How do you maintain patient confidentiality?
KG: Adhering to HIPPA regulations is an important aspect of a dental assistant’s career.
In my previous role, I was responsible for overseeing regulations, scheduling training sessions and performing risk assessments. Each team member safeguarded and properly disposed of documents, followed phone protocol guidelines and used caution and judgment when discussing sensitive information.