The time has come to slow down

A new concept aimed at encouraging dental professionals to work at a slower pace to better ensure patient safety and reduce work-related stress is gaining pace.

The ‘slow dentistry’ concept was created by a group of international clinicians, with a vision to build a network of worldwide dental practices signed up to delivering four universal key principles that any patient can use as a checklist. The intended outcome is to empower patients to be confident of their safety, wellbeing, comfort, and understanding of their treatment.

The four ‘cornerstones’ are based on the concept of a patient asking the following questions:

1. Is the practice thoroughly disinfected?
2. Have the risks been explained and have I signed a
3. consent form?
4. Is the anaesthetic working?
5. Is a rubber dam being used?

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