Rehearse everything with the patient

Rehearsing each stage at the start of the patients’ appointment improves the technical quality of the desired outcome. Having a “dry run” - showing the patient the impression tray and practicing the insertion and positioning helps to relax the patient and importantly allows me to practice the positioning of the tray. Talking and rehearsing the process through with the patient really helps them relax and keep calm and is particularly helpful with sensitive gag reflexes.

In addition, rehearsal, helps me to visualise what you are trying to achieve so that you have a clear “mental representation” of the completed step. This is very important.

This also has the effect of recruiting the patient’s active help and promoting their role as team leader

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