Complications in Dentoalveolar Cases: What We Can Learn When Things go Wrong (with Drs. Grant Stucki and Ben Hechler)

Everyday Oral Surgery

What can we learn from the cases that don’t go according to plan? During this episode, Dr. Benjamin Hechler joins us to discuss dentoalveolar and anesthesia complications. Join us to hear Dr. Hechler’s insights on a series of real-life cases, from what actually went wrong to what could have been done differently. These case studies bring up key take-home messages which touch on navigating competing interests in dentistry, avoiding miscommunications, and preventative practices and processes. We discuss the problem of discrepancies in information, particularly with pediatric and geriatric patients, and how to go about identifying the gaps in order to gather the necessary details. Dr. Hechler also emphasizes the importance of including all the necessary information during X-ray procedures. Our conversation touches on communication and language, daily preparation, and more. While these cases are not easy to discuss, it is important to dissect them to prevent future mistakes and complications. Thanks for listening!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How the Swiss Cheese principle applies to entoalveolar and anesthesia complications.
• Dr. Stucki’s one take-home message: try to control as many variables as you can.
• A few areas of complication related to a 71-year-old patient Dr. Stucki served after a routine procedure.
• The problem of referred pain.
• Competing interests in dentistry and how to navigate them collaboratively.
• The necessity of hesitating on a diagnosis.
• Why it is so critical to be on the same page as the patient.
• Dr. Hechler’s insights on a real-life case with a 13-year-old patient.
• Miscommunication and failure to refer.
• How daily preparation can help to identify gaps ahead of time.
• Navigating discrepancies in information for pediatric and geriatric patients.
• A case that illustrates why it is so important to have both a date and the patient’s information on every X-ray.
• Talking to patients and using the correct language.
• Dr. Hechler’s insights on how the case of a 53-year-old man could have gone differently.
• The importance of communication and referral.
• Why discussing these cases is necessary.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Ben Hechler on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hechler/

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — [e-mail]

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059