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‘Selfies’ − an effective communication aid to solve periodontal and implant diseases

From Volume 46, Issue 1, January 2019 | Pages 12-22

Authors

Martin Kelleher

MSc, FDSRCS, FDSRCPS, FCGDent

Specialist in Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics, Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, King's College Dental Hospital

Articles by Martin Kelleher

Email Martin Kelleher

Philip Ower

MSc, BDS, MGDS RCS

Specialist in Periodontics, The Periodontal Practice, 21 Devonshire Place, London, and The Briars Dental Centre, Newbury

Articles by Philip Ower

Abstract

Abstract: If a picture paints a thousand words, then ‘selfies’ can be a very effective communication aid in getting patients to understand and accept their responsibilities for their periodontal diseases and/or their implant health maintenance.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Once patients have a well-lit visual record on their mobile phones of where their real gum problems are located and understand their responsibilities in solving these, they are much more likely to clean effectively around their problem areas including their implants. Mouthwashes are not the solution for periodontal problems, in spite of very dubious advertising claims. Effective, repeated, physical removal of their bio-film is the key message. Having a long-term record on their mobiles of how to remove their pathogenic plaque more effectively is a powerful way to reinforce that message.

Article

Patients often cannot see, or remember, where they have plaque/biofilm unless it is made clearly visible and memorable for them, by means of disclosing or the identification of marginal inflammation.

Generally speaking, most people are interested in how they look in most photographs. Taking multiple ‘selfies’ on their own smartphones which record their gum problems graphically is a powerful way to show patients where their plaque/biofilm is present and is causing their disease. This can be helped by using a device (Smile Line MDP) to hold patients' own mobile phones securely and this neat and inexpensive device provides decent illumination of the less visible plaque/biofilm areas inside their mouths (Figures 1 and 2).

Once a clinician recognizes that there is a periodontal problem present, it is often helpful for patients to have multi-coloured disclosing solution applied directly to their problematic areas in order to help them to visualize the startling colour changes of their own stained plaque. Photographing their appearance at that point with their camera on their smartphone cameras gives them a very good idea and helps them to remember where their problems are.

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