Dr. Eric Blamires - third molar techniques, supporting assistants, and dealing with helicopter parents

Oct 26, 2020

Dr. Eric Blamires, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon from Colorado, shares his insights on surgical techniques and patient management. He emphasizes the importance of surgeon ergonomics and personal health for longevity in the field. Eric discusses practical ways to build rapport with patients, especially teens, in busy settings. He also dives into streamlined wisdom tooth extraction methods and his approach to suturing and grafting, along with strategies for managing helicopter parents during procedures. Tune in for valuable tips!

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INSIGHT

Surgeon Health Improves Longevity

Eric Blamires found that improving his own health (exercise, shoes, posture) reduced neck and back pain and improved endurance.
He links physical conditioning to being able to stand bent over and operate longer with less pain.

INSIGHT

Speed Reduces Swelling And Nausea

Shorter procedure times correlate with less pain, swelling, and postoperative nausea in Blamires' experience.
He optimizes anesthesia cocktails and workflow to keep cases brief and predictable.

ADVICE

Always Follow A Surgical Routine

Start upper molars first and follow a consistent order to avoid forgetting teeth and to streamline workflow.
Use a bite block on the opposite side and perform injections with it in place to prevent unnecessary movement.

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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