The next time you need to perform a routine oral examination in a patient with a severe gag reflex, try this: have the patient use the tongue blade to depress his or her own tongue while you shine the light. For some reason, the exam goes more smoothly when the patient is involved.
The next time you need to perform a routine oral examination in a patient with a severe gag reflex, try this: have the patient use the tongue blade to depress his or her own tongue while you shine the light. For some reason, the exam goes more smoothly when the patient is involved.
---- Nate Hitzeman, MD
Sacramento, Calif