Dentist uses dog to calm nervous patients
For the last couple of years, Jo Jo the six-year-old golden retriever has worked a regular weekly shift as a dental nurse for Dr. Paul Egger and Dr. Thomas Resnick at the Pediatric Dentistry of Northbrook office in Illinois.
Jo Jo is a trained comfort dog and has become a key member of the office, even being listed as a member of staff on the dentist’s website.
Jo Jo’s handler, Lynne Ryan, came up with the idea of using a dog to help calm patients, believing the dog could make a huge difference for young patients going through treatment.
“I’ve been working as a handler for five years, and I thought Jo Jo could really do some good here,” Lynne said. “Jo Jo had to be trained to get used to all the different noises in a dental office, like the sound of the drill and the suction,” she continued. “But now, she gets up on the chair and reclines on children’s laps.”
Staff say that having the comfort dog has made a huge difference. “A lot of the time, those patients would need nitrous oxide or other sedative to help them relax,” clinic staff member Veronica Renteria said. “But when Jo Jo comes in with them and sits in the chair, they’re comforted. They can just sit and pet her as they’re getting their teeth cleaned. She’s does a great job with them.”
Veronica continued to say that “The appointments go much smoother and quicker for them. And the doctor gets to perform the work as it’s meant to be done.”
Jo Jo also seems to have enjoy her job. Veronica notes that Jo Jo “loves coming in. She’s very well trained and knows what she’s doing. We all benefit from her so much.”
