What precausions should a woman dentist take in her clinic?

[drsapna]

Is it better to keep male assistant or female assistant in clinic of woman dentist?What kind of security measures should be taken by woman dentist to run clinic safely?Usually woman dentists marry with another dentist..then there is nothing much to worry about but if she is alone runing her clinic then what all things should she keep in mind?

        

[Shirdent]

There are a few things to remember or do to keep yourself safe.

1. Lock the outside door while you’re working on a patient if you and your assistant are the only two in the building.

2. Keep the place lit as if there was a party going on.

3. Have a third person available if possible, like the front desk person.

4. Employ a dental hygienist so you’ll have a fourth person. The more people, the less likely someone will try something.

Shirley Gutkowski, RDH, BSDH, FACE
http://www.careerfusion.net

        

[Anonymous]

is there any instance of a woman dentist filing harassment charges against a male patient in USA

drkirti

        

[charmi_shah]

Female dentists vulnerable to harassment, survey finds

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 11/06/2008 10:28 AM | Headlines

Female dentists are highly vulnerable to sexual harassment by their male patients, a survey by the Indonesian Dental Association revealed Wednesday during a seminar held in cooperation with the World Dental Federation.

“Dental clinicians work in close proximity to patients and in various positions that could be considered risky in the sense of sexual harassment,” said keynote speaker Dr. Paulus Januar of Moestopo University’s School of Public Health and Dentistry.

Paulus said the purpose of the seminar was to create awareness of the need to protect female dentists from sexual harassment, considering that 75 percent of Indonesia’s 17,000 dentists are women.

Of the 113 female dentists polled in the survey, 28 reported having been sexually harassed.

The survey also showed 20.4 percent of male patients sexually harassed their female dentists either verbally (9.7 percent), physically, by touching or trying to embrace (8 percent), and gesturing provocatively (7.1 percent).

Paulus stressed it was important to distinguish between sexual harassment and flirting.

“Sexual harassment includes any expression or behavior that is unwanted and sexually demeaning, often coercive, one-sided and which psychologically hurts the victim. Flirting, however, is reciprocal, flattering and often taken as a compliment,” he said.

“When my female dentist colleagues hear this topic in discussion forums, they spontaneously tell their stories about being sexually harassed by their patients. Don’t imagine these dentists wore sexy clothing — even one with a Muslim headscarf was sexually harassed.”

Paulus also pointed out women in other occupations, ranging from professional to unskilled, also experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

He said harassed dentists often remained passive, with only some reprimanding their patients. No lawsuit has ever been brought by a female dentist against her harasser.

Nur Herawati, coordinator of legal services for the Women’s Legal Aid Foundation (LBH APIK), said women’s awareness of their legal rights to protection from sexual harassment remained low.

“The women being sexually harassed in work places are reluctant to report it because they are too embarrassed and regard the harassment as a stigma. The community at large is still unsupportive of the victims, who instead become targets for mockery,” she said.

Under Article 294 of the Criminal Code on obscene behavior, those guilty of harassment can face up to seven years in prison.

“The best way to prevent the sexual harassment of female dentists is to ensure they are never alone with their patients, or the examination room door is open, or there is a surveillance camera in place,” she said.

She added these precautions would not only reduce the incidence of sexual harassment, but would also provide witnesses and other proof of wrongdoing.

        

[Anonymous]

Has any such study been carried out by the Indian dental association

        

[charmi_shah]

I doubt IDA has conducted survey regarding the same.

Regards.

        

[Anonymous]

i dnt thk its necessary for a women dentist to close the lock the door when she is workg as tat wil giv mre chance4 d male patient 2anythg. but its beter 2 kep a male & a female assistant. but d best thk i wud suggest is work with mny dentists lik many dentists in one clinic ie polyclinic is best n safe.

        

[Anonymous]

In terms of security, one can keep the door bell system or an intercom system.
The need for a recptionist on the front desk is of utmost need,,not only makes work simpler but also provides a sense of security
An important rule to follow is shutting down the clinic at the stipulated time, meaning avoid late working hours.
Stress on maintaining records of personal details of all patients also make it a habit to ask for any form of ID or identification like license or work ids,,as a discreet protocol.
Being strict with patients and not discussing too much money related topics referring to daily collections
Tight records of assistants to be maintained alongwith records of their kin.

        

[Anonymous]

I agree with what mithila has told i think we should follow her words

        

[Author]

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