Gold, glorious gold!

As a healthcare professional at Dr. B Dentistry, I frequently receive inquiries from our patients regarding why they need to sign a form before we place a gold onlay (a type of dental restoration colloquially referred to as a “gold” due to its appearance). The answer to this question is straightforward. As healthcare providers, we have a responsibility to ensure that we do not cause harm to our patients. We are obligated to act in your best interest, but it is not within our purview to make decisions on your behalf. When you visit our practice, the first question we ask is “how can we help you?” This question is designed to allow us to gain insight into your world, your perspective, and your priorities.

As clinicians, it is not our role to impose our opinions on our patients. Instead, we can offer advice and guidance. However, there may be occasions when a patient’s wishes contradict our scientific training and knowledge. In these cases, we will educate the patient and provide them with the information they need to make an informed decision. If the patient still wishes to proceed with a treatment that we do not recommend, we will ask them to sign a document indicating that they are making an informed decision. If we are unable to provide the treatment, we will refer the patient to someone who can.

Returning to the issue of gold onlays, we require patients to sign a form because the process of placing an onlay involves removing a significant amount of healthy tooth material. This process weakens the tooth and can cause damage. At Dr. B Dentistry, we strive to be minimally invasive and to cause as little damage as possible. While we do not recommend cutting into healthy teeth to place gold onlays, we respect our patients’ decisions and will provide the highest quality treatment possible.

In conclusion, at Dr. B Dentistry, we take our responsibility to our patients seriously. We will always act in your best interest and provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your dental health. We are committed to providing the highest quality care possible while minimizing any potential harm or damage.