Euphemism in Dentistry Enhancing Patient Experience
Euphemism are defined as words or phrases that are used to convey unpleasant or bad objects or things. In fact, it is an idiomatic expression that hides the unpleasantness. Some of the common euphemisms used in the English language are:
Restroom for toilet
Passed away for
big-boned for fat
Lunatic asylums for mental institutions
Sanitation engineer for garbage man
When it comes to dentistry, there are many instruments and devices that may create fear or anxiety in patients, especially children. Dentists and dental assistants have to make them comfortable by eliminating their fear for a successful treatment. Many children get scared when they hear or see injections, the micromotor used for cavity preparation, suction, etc. Hence, to make these things sound less scary, dentists often use euphemisms while talking to child patients or adult patients with dentophobia.
"In pediatric dentistry, euphemisms can be used to help children feel more at ease and less anxious during dental procedures. Children may be more sensitive to certain words and phrases than adults, and euphemisms can help to create a positive and reassuring environment. Overall, the use of euphemisms in pediatric dentistry can be a helpful tool to create a positive and reassuring environment for children, but it should always be used appropriately and in a way that does not compromise the child's understanding of the procedure."Dr. Harsha Kawre, Pediatric dentist
Euphemisms come under behavior management in child dentistry or pediatric dentistry. Pediatric dentists communicate in a very comfortable and friendly way with their child patients to make them feel relaxed.
Most of the children are very anxious during their first visit to the dental clinic. The following visit depends on the experience of the first visit. So, if their initial visit is good, they will be willing and even excited for the follow-ups. Therefore, the euphemisms used by dentists and their assistants will play a key role in reducing children's fear.
Following are the euphemisms used by dentists while treating a child;
Wind and air squirt gun for air water syringe
Sleepy juice for anesthesia
Raincoat for rubber dam
Tooth bug or sick tooth for caries
Tooth counter for dental explorer
Vacuum cleaner for suction
Tooth picture for dental radiograph
Wiggle the tooth for extraction
Mr. Whistle or tooth cleaner for high speed handpiece
Special toothpaste for prophylactic paste
Silver hat for stainless steel crown
Apart from these rephrases, dentists may use other phrases or words as well to describe dental objects and procedures to their child patients.
The use of euphemisms by dentists can calm children's patients and make the environment in the clinic more comfortable. Hence, it is a relevant factor to be considered in a pediatric dental clinic.