I have over five years of experience working in a hospital dental department, where I provided comprehensive dental care to patients with a wide range of medical conditions. My role involved collaborating closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure integrated patient care, managing dental emergencies, and performing procedures under general anesthesia when necessary. This experience has honed my ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and adapt to the unique challenges of hospital dentistry.

In handling dental emergencies, I prioritize patient assessment to identify the urgency and nature of the problem. I then proceed with immediate interventions, such as pain management, infection control, or stabilizing dental trauma, while considering the patient's overall health status. Communication with the medical team is crucial to coordinate care, especially for patients with complex medical histories. My approach is systematic, ensuring safety and efficacy while providing compassionate care to alleviate the patient's distress promptly.

One challenging case involved a patient with a severe facial infection and multiple comorbidities. I coordinated with the infectious disease team to tailor antibiotic therapy and performed surgical drainage under controlled conditions. The complexity required meticulous planning, from pre-operative assessment to post-operative care, ensuring the patient's systemic health was not compromised. This case underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and adaptive treatment planning in hospital dentistry.

I employ a multimodal approach to manage pain and anxiety, combining pharmacological methods like local anesthesia and sedation with non-pharmacological techniques such as clear communication and relaxation strategies. Understanding the patient's medical history is vital to choose safe and effective options. For anxious patients, I explain procedures thoroughly to build trust and reduce fear, ensuring a more comfortable experience. Tailoring the approach to each patient's needs is key to successful pain and anxiety management.

I stay updated by attending specialized conferences, participating in professional dental societies, and reviewing current literature in hospital dentistry and related medical fields. Engaging in continuous education courses and networking with peers also provides insights into innovative practices and technologies. This commitment to lifelong learning ensures I can offer the most current and effective treatments to my patients, adapting to the evolving landscape of healthcare and dentistry.