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Cell Phone Etiquette in the Dental Office
Although cell phones and pagers have improved communication in general, they can sometimes become a barrier when people are meeting face to face.
The explosion in new technology has improved the quality of life for people in the United States and around the world. The Internet, cell phones and pagers have vastly enhanced information and communication systems with relatively low cost and ease of use. Although cell phones and pagers have improved communication in general, they can sometimes become a barrier when people are meeting face-to-face. One recent, and unwanted, technology-related problem that I have noticed is an interruption of my ability to deliver dental care with some patients.
Most people understand that when you go into a dental office and are receiving dental care that cell phones and pagers should be turned off. There are some patients, however, who insist on conducting business or resolving personal issues during treatment in the dental chair. This conduct disrupts the flow of treatment by distracting both the patient and dentist. It should come as no surprise that to perform dentistry in a painless and stress-free manner that the dentist needs to focus and also must be able to communicate openly with his or her patients. The ringing of the cell phone and the beeping of a pager is an unwelcome interruption that is easily avoided.
I am aware that there are some exceptions when the cell phone or pager must be kept on, but I seriously doubt that most people's lives will be negatively impacted by not being able to talk to someone for a 30-minute span during a dental visit. People who have pressing matters should leave their cell phones and pagers at the front desk of their dental office. The office manager or receptionist can then answer the cell phone or pager and direct urgent matters to the patient through the clinical staff. This minimizes disruptions and allows dentists to provide the most optimal treatment possible for their patients.
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