THE EDITOR'S CORNER

Have you noticed that there is a difference between what patients often say and what it really means? I have compiled a list of examples of statements that patients frequently make. In parentheses is their true meaning.

Oh yes. I wear my appliance all the time. (I wear it a lot.)

I wear it a lot. (I wear it about 40% of the time.)

I wear it pretty well. (I wear it 20% of the time.)

I don't wear it so well. (I don't wear it at all.)

No. I don't chew gum. (I don't chew very much gum.)

I just touched it and it broke. (I was chewing on a pencil all morning and the appliance finally broke.)

It just dropped into the sink and broke into pieces. (I stepped on it.)

My mouth is all ripped up. (I have a slight irritation in one spot.)

I left the time charts at home. (Who keeps time charts?)

I ran out of rubber bands. (I didn't wear rubber bands.)

The headgear is too tight. (I didn't wear the headgear.)

I thought my appointment was today. (I had a Hall game at the time of my appointment.)

Couldn't I wear it just at night? (I'm going to wear it just at night.)

I took the rubber bands off just before I came to the office. (I haven't worn rubber bands this week.)

I couldn't get to brush my teeth after lunch. (I can't remember the last time I brushed my teeth.)