DR. RICHARD DRAKE
remember that Referral
Street is NOT a one way
street. Making referrals
to your local ENT to have
the patient evaluated for
nasal airway obstructions,
is always, repeat ALWAYS, a
good idea.
Additionally, if you have
a CBCT unit with an
expanded field of view
such as the OP300, take
a low dose scan. Look at
what’s going on in the
nasal airway before simply
dropping in a piece of
acrylic.
Next, discuss with the
patient things that she can
do at home to help her
breathe better.
Examples of this might be:
• over the counter nasal
steroids sprays
• saltwater nasal rinses
• Neti pots
• allergy medications
• pet allergies
• dust free home (change
A/C filters often!)
• as well as watching
what she eats due to food
allergies, especially gluten
Some ideas for what YOU as the
dentist can do to help the patient:
• Nose cones
• Breathe rite strips
• ProVent
• Prescription strength
steroid sprays
A patient who can breathe through
their nose is always a more
successful patient!
5
5
SUMMARY:
Ask about nasal patency.
Refer to your local ENT’s
(they’ll love you for it!)
Utilize OTC nasal steroid
sprays. Don’t be afraid to
try in some nose cones
in your office and have a
supply on hand to sell to
patients. A patient who can
breathe through their nose
is always a more successful
patient!