Oral Surgery Success

About Oral Surgery Success

A show for dentists interested in surgery.

Publisher

Dr. Russell Kirk

Category

health & fitness · health & fitness · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Jan 2024

Latest episode

4 Jun 2024

Latest episodes

21 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Jun 2024

   021: Practice Fatigue

   Today, I want to dive into a topic that affects us all: fatigue in our dental practices, particularly in oral surgery. We all experience tiredness from the daily grind of dentistry, and I want to share some insights on the different types of fatigue we face and how to manage them. Physical fatigue is often the most obvious. It can stem from poor sleep habits, lack of exercise, or simply working long hours. While I've improved in this area, it's still a challenge for many. Mental fatigue, or decision fatigue, is a big one for me. Our job requires intense mental engagement from start to finish, and it can be draining. Techniques like meditation can help, but I still struggle with this aspect. Emotional fatigue comes from dealing with charged situations - difficult patients, conflicts with colleagues, or frustrations with insurance companies. Compassion fatigue is another challenge, especially as we progress in our careers. It's when we start to lose our capacity for empathy and begin to objectify patients. This can be a sign of burnout and may require professional help to address. Other types of fatigue include creativity fatigue (though less applicable in dentistry) and sensory fatigue from constant exposure to things like handpiece noise. When these different types of fatigue stack up, it can lead to burnout. For me, the top three are mental fatigue, emotional fatigue, and compassion fatigue. It's crucial to find ways to counteract these, whether through hobbies, time off, or setting boundaries in your practice. It's okay to say no to cases or patients that aren't a good fit. Refer out what you're not comfortable with - I do this with certain complex procedures I no longer regularly perform. Ultimately, focus on what you enjoy and what you're good at. Set boundaries, refer when necessary, and don't be afraid to dismiss problematic patients. These strategies can help reduce overall fatigue and make your practice more enjoyable. Remember, it's okay to ask for help if you're struggling. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out at Russell@OralSurgerySuccess.com. Talk to you next time!

2. 

   28 May 2024

   020: Oral Surgery Is Hard

   Oral Surgery Is Hard Hey everyone, it's Russell. Today, I want to talk about something a bit different – our profession itself and the challenges we face. The main thing I want to emphasize is that oral surgery is hard. We all struggle sometimes, and that's okay. As we progress in our careers, more experience leads to better outcomes and techniques. You'll find the instruments and approaches that work best for you, and case selection improves with time. Early in our careers, we often face pitfalls like taking on cases beyond our skill level, and our ego can cloud our judgment. But even as we gain experience, we'll always have wins and losses. Referrals are sometimes necessary, even for experienced surgeons, and consulting colleagues for validation is valuable. Having support is crucial in our field. We need people to bounce ideas off of, and it's important to keep going and improving. Our ultimate goal should be to have more wins than losses, but we must accept that some cases won't go as planned. It's also vital to recognize when we simply can't help certain patients. We need to extend grace to ourselves. We're human and imperfect – it's called a "practice" for a reason. Over time, we should have more successes than failures. It's equally important to support our colleagues. Be kind when others share struggles online and avoid harsh criticism – we don't know the full context. Remember, everyone has complications, even the "experts." Ultimately, what we do is valuable and unique. Be proud of your skills and the good you bring to the world. I hope this reflection helps you feel less alone in your challenges. We're all in this together. As always, feel free to reach out at Russell@OralSurgerySuccess.com or follow me on X @RussellKirkDDS. Talk to you next week!

3. 

   21 May 2024

   019: Missed Diagnosis

   I want to share a story that highlights the importance of comprehensive evaluation and patient education when it comes to third molar pain. Imagine this scenario A 17-year-old female presents with bilateral jaw pain. Exam reveals Impacted third molars, no obvious pathology No intraoral signs of infection or pericoronitis Teeth are removed without complication But at post-op visits, the patient reports Pain persists or worsens No response to anti-inflammatories Headaches develop What's going on? In this case, we may have missed an underlying diagnosis of TMD, specifically myofascial pain in the muscles of mastication. Key signs of TMD to watch for 1. Headaches, often behind the eyes or at the temples 2. Tenderness at the temporalis insertion (near maxillary first molar) 3. Pain at the angle of the mandible (masseter attachment) 4. Pre-auricular pain (pterygoid involvement) 5. History of gum chewing, ice crunching, or other parafunctional habits The problem: When we assume third molars are the sole cause of pain and remove them, we set ourselves up for trouble if TMD is the true culprit. The patient's pain persists, and they may blame us for their worsened condition. The solution: Thorough assessment and clear communication Palpate the muscles of mastication for tenderness Document pre-existing TMD in the patient's record Discuss the distinction between third molar pain and myofascial pain Set expectations for potentially prolonged recovery due to TMD Consider the necessity of third molar removal if no obvious pathology is present I learned this lesson the hard way when a patient reported me to the dental board, claiming I had caused her TMD by "dislocating her jaw" during surgery. Thankfully, my documentation of her pre-existing condition exonerated me, but it was a stressful experience. By sharing this story, I hope to help others avoid similar pitfalls. Remember, a thorough exam and clear patient communication can make all the difference in achieving optimal outcomes and maintaining trust. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Feel free to reach out at Russell@OralSurgerySuccess.com, and follow me on X @RussellKirkDDS for daily posts on all things oral surgery. Talk to you next week!

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Apple Podcasts (US)

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Spotify

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2 ratings

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