Oral surgical procedures are performed to treat impacted teeth, difficult tooth extractions, implants, dentures, or other dental prostheses, and each oral surgeon has their own techniques and preferences when it comes to equipment, anesthesia, and patient reports. Today’s guest is, Dr. Eric Blamires, DMD, a Dentistry Practitioner in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In this episode, Eric shares with listeners the lessons and discoveries he has made during his career, including the importance of looking after his own health. He also explains how he relates with patients, how he performs a wisdom tooth extraction, and his views on sutures versus natural healing, as well as gaining insights from other technicians, screws versus tacks, why he uses ketamine, and how he deals with helicopter parents. Tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What Eric discovered that change his everyday oral care experience – taking care of his health.
• As a dentist who stands or bends over most of the day, taking care of posture is important.
• Standing during surgery, reassuring and connecting with patients are part of Eric’s day-to-day.
• How Eric talks and relates to patients – making personal connections or jokes is valuable.
• Oral surgeons have a reputation for not being good communicators, because patients are under sedation and procedures are quick.
• How Eric has changed his surgical techniques or routines during a wisdom tooth extraction.
• Typically, Eric tries to make every procedure as minimal and conservative as possible.
• Eric explains the importance of having a good relationship with his dental assistants.
• Suturing incisions versus letting them heal and minimizing the risk of post-operative infection.
• Third molars and packing or gel foam – Eric says that he only does so if there is bleeding.
• Gaining insights from others helps Eric clean up his techniques, but he also works intuitively.
• With ongoing time and experience, Eric believes he only gets better at placing implants.
• Eric’s views on screws versus tacks, his preferred surgical equipment, and why he chooses metal.
• Eric uses the frog in a pot analogy to describe the need for new equipment when what he has been using is no longer working.
• How Eric handles being aggressively questioned on his technique, like his use of ketamine.
• Eric’s experience with helicopter parents, and how he deals with them and eases their stress.
• As a surgeon, Eric has to deal with the stress and anxiety of the procedures, and all he can do is do his absolute best.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Eric Blamires on LinkedIn

How to Win Friends and Influence People

KLS Martin

Salvin Dental Specialties