When Compassion Meets Chaos: A Day in the Life of a Dentist on Duty



 It was one of those days where everything seemed to converge into a whirlwind of activity. A fully booked schedule, a solo dentist on duty, and a hospital buzzing with patients. As I wrapped up a treatment and stepped into the reception area to welcome the next patient, I noticed a couple entering the hospital. The woman, visibly in pain, was clutching her cheek, wincing with every step. It was clear—this was a dental emergency.

Before the receptionist even asked, I instructed her to open a file for the patient and signaled my second assistant to prepare the second operatory. Meanwhile, my first assistant had already set up the primary room for the next scheduled appointment. I quickly reassured the waiting patient that I would briefly attend to an emergency case and be back soon. She agreed with full understanding, having witnessed the distressed couple’s arrival.

In the second room, I began to examine the walk-in patient. The patient’s husband accompanied her, concerned and protective. Upon examination and confirming with an x-ray, the culprit was tooth #30—an acute pulpitis. She needed root canal therapy (RCT), and she agreed to proceed. I estimated that I could administer anesthesia and relieve her pain within the time window before my next appointment. She was anxious and mentioned a phobia of needles. My instincts tingled, but driven by compassion and clinical urgency, I decided to proceed.

Applying topical anesthetic gel, I chose intraosseous anesthesia using a QuickSleeper to minimize her pain. Just as the needle went in, my assistant's voice broke the tension—her husband had collapsed outside the room. I was stunned. Little did I know, he too had a needle phobia. In rushing to attend to him, I failed to notice that the patient, too, had started reacting—dizzy, pale, and showing signs of syncope.

Now I had two patients fainting simultaneously—an emotional chain reaction I hadn’t anticipated. I immediately called for the hospital emergency response. Each assistant was assigned recovery roles, and I quickly stabilized the female patient while monitoring the husband.

Thankfully, both recovered well. I managed to complete the original patient’s treatment and resumed the day’s schedule. However, the incident created a domino effect of delays that stretched into the evening. Unfortunately, this led to a Google review from a patient who had no knowledge of the emergency situation. It served as a strong reminder that in a busy clinical setup, even a silent emergency can echo loudly in perception. Next time, I’ll make sure the team and patients are aware when an emergency is underway—sometimes transparency, even amidst chaos, is the key to empathy.

Takeaway: Emergencies test not just our clinical skills, but also our ability to communicate and lead under pressure. Even the best intentions can spiral into chaos if not balanced with situational awareness. A loud announcement during an emergency, even if it sounds disruptive, might save not just your reviews—but someone’s peace of mind.

SSP

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