As dental student in our program, let's say you are caring for a patient who is being sent home with PTFE floss. Upon asking the patient if they know how to use it, they reluctantly say, "Yes, I do." Tell me how you proceed.

"Even if the patient was adamant that they knew how to use the floss, I would ask them to demonstrate how they think they should use it. Floss is more difficult to use than most people realize, and so many patients make mistakes when flossing. I would emphasize that the patient needs to floss between every tooth and not apply so much pressure that it irritates the gums. I would suggest that each of us grab some floss and do it together."

To effectively answer this question, describe in detail how you would verify that the patient understands how to use the floss effectively. You could demonstrate how to use it and explain why it is important for the overall health of the teeth and gums. As you answer, talk about the importance of ensuring that every patient that you work with is educated on their dental health.