“Every patient has a different story, and being able to help them feel better and more confident gives you a sense of purpose.”
1. Could you please tell us a little about yourself and what made you want to work in dentistry and orthodontics?
Right now, I am a resident in Orthodontics at KIMS Health in Trivandrum. I became interested in dentistry at a very young age because I was interested in how oral health affects a person’s overall health and confidence. I learned that dentistry isn’t just about fixing teeth; it’s also about making life better. I was especially interested in orthodontics because it lets us make long-lasting changes that improve both function and appearance. I really enjoy being able to fix alignment problems and watch a patient gain confidence as they go through treatment.
2. How has your clinical training as an orthodontics resident changed the way you think about caring for patients?
Clinical training has completely changed how I think about caring for patients. At first, I thought it was mostly about figuring out what was wrong and making a plan for treatment. But it’s really much more than that. Taking care of patients means listening to them, understanding their worries, and making them feel at ease the whole time. In orthodontics, treatments can take a long time, so it’s very important to build trust and keep the lines of communication open. I have also learned that small things, like making sure patients understand what will happen or helping them deal with their anxiety, can make a big difference in how they feel overall.
3. What parts of your daily work in a clinical setting do you find most important?
The most important thing for me is seeing how patients change over time. Orthodontic treatments can take months or even years, and it feels great to be a part of that process. It’s not just about the end result; it’s also about how far you’ve come. I also think that talking to patients is very important. Every patient has a different story, and being able to help them feel better and more confident gives you a sense of purpose. Also, working with others and getting good results together makes you feel even better.
4. Why do you think interdisciplinary teamwork is important in clinical healthcare settings?
Interdisciplinary teamwork is important because healthcare is rarely provided by just one person. In clinical settings, different professionals have different skills and points of view. When these are put together in the right way, they make patient care better. Teamwork makes sure that all parts of treatment are taken care of, from clinical procedures to helping and following up with patients. It also makes things run more smoothly and lowers the risk of mistakes. When the team talks to each other and works together well, I’ve found that the quality of care goes up a lot.
5. How do nurses help dental or orthodontic clinical procedures go smoothly?
Nurses are very important for making sure that clinical procedures go well. They help get the patient ready, set up the tools, and help during the procedures. Their help lets the doctor focus on the technical parts of treatment. They also help keep the workflow organized, which is very important in a busy clinical setting. Without their help, it would be hard to keep things running smoothly and give patients the care they need on time.
6. What do you think nurses do to make sure patients are comfortable and safe while they are getting treatment?
Nurses are quite important in ensuring that the patients feel safe and comfortable. Many patients are nervous before the dental or orthodontic treatment, and the nurses can calm them down by talking to them and comforting them. They watch over the patients during the treatment and ensure that the safety rules are observed at all times. The patients feel like they are in good hands when the nurses are around. The patients also feel comfortable talking to the nurses about their concerns, and this makes them have a great experience.
7. Can you give an example of how working together with nurses and dentists makes things better for patients?
In orthodontics, procedures often need careful planning and coordination. When nurses and doctors work together closely, the whole process is easier and more comfortable for the patient. For instance, getting instruments ready and getting help during procedures on time can cut down on treatment time and make things more accurate. This not only improves the quality of care, but it also makes the experience less stressful for the patient. In the end, working together like this leads to better results and happier patients.
8. Infection control is very important in clinical practice. How do nurses help keep dental care settings clean and safe?
In clinical settings, nurses play a key role in keeping infections from spreading. They make sure that all tools are properly cleaned and that hygiene rules are always followed. They also check to make sure that people are using personal protective equipment correctly and all the time. It is very important to keep these standards in dental and orthodontic care, where there is a lot of close contact with patients. Their attention to detail helps keep patients and healthcare workers safe by stopping cross-infection.
9. Communication is very important in healthcare. How does good communication between nurses and doctors improve patient care?
For smooth operations and good care, nurses and doctors need to be able to talk to each other well. It makes sure that everyone knows about the treatment plan and any special needs of the patient. Good communication makes it less likely that people will make mistakes or misunderstand each other. It also helps build trust by giving patients the same information every time. When everyone on the team is on the same page, it makes things easier for both patients and healthcare workers.
10. What problems can come up in clinical settings where people from different fields work together, and how can teamwork help solve them?
Miscommunication, different ways of working, and not having enough time are some common problems. In busy clinical settings, these problems can sometimes get in the way of work. But strong teamwork can help you get through these problems. Key factors are open communication, respect for each other, and a clear understanding of roles. It’s easier to handle problems and keep up a high level of care when team members help each other out and work toward a common goal.
11. In your opinion, how can training programs better prepare nurses to support specialised areas like dental and orthodontic care?
Training programs can be improved to better prepare nurses for specialised areas like dental and orthodontic care through more hands-on training and exposure to specialised clinical environments. Hands-on training will help nurses to better understand different situations and scenarios. Training nurses on dental and orthodontic care will also be helpful. Continuous learning and development are essential to keep pace with developments in healthcare. Properly designed training programs will help nurses to support specialised clinical practices.
12. What do you think the role of nurses will be in the future in supporting specialized clinical practices like orthodontics?
I think nurses’ jobs will keep getting bigger in the future. As technology and healthcare practices improve, nurses will have to do more things to help patients, teach them, and support them in the clinic. They will be more responsible for making sure patients are safe, managing workflows, and helping with specialized procedures. Their help will still be important for providing high-quality, patient-centered care. As healthcare becomes more collaborative, their role will become even more important.