Self Determination And What It Means For Your Health

The ability to make informed decisions regarding your health, and the ability to take care of oneself might be a definition of “Self-determination”. You are determining your healthcare for your self, in other words, rather than leaving it totally up to a professional. This attitude in the patient and caregiver gives measurable benefits. In the dental clinic, for example, a patient who has been given self-determination supportive care will have less plaque and better oral health than otherwise, in a study published by Oxford University (https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197600047.013.41). Of course if you know absolutely nothing about oral health you will not do as well as someone motivated to take care of themselves and their teeth. But there are things your dentist can do to support a better attitude towards health. Key to autonomy is KNOWLEDGE. Without it, we have no basis to make decisions! So a dentist who EDUCATES their patients will have patients who do better! Educated patients are more competent, and can relate better to his disease process and the doctor. Emphasizing patient education, competence and autonomy – the right to make their own choices – instead of enforcing it during treatment presentation, results in measurably better outcomes.