Setting

You are seeing one of your regular patients at the clinic where you work. She is pregnant for the first time and is experiencing bleeding gums.

Task

• Greet your patient and find out why the patient is attending the clinic today.
• Reassure the patient that what she is experiencing is quite common during pregnancy (emphasis the importance of good tooth care and a balanced diet during pregnancy).
• Explore details of the patients dental care regime and provide recommendations for improvement as appropriate.
• Explain that calcium is important during pregnancy as bones and teeth are developing, including adult teeth. Explain that the bleeding is not connected with calcium deficiency but that supplementing calcium and some other vitamins during pregnancy is a good idea. Recommend taking prenatal vitamin supplements.
• Reassure the patient that although teething is often painful, a teething gel or chilled teething ring will help. However, say you will explain more about care closer to the time.
• Summarise what you have discussed and tell the patient to call if they have any concerns.