Dental clinic receives new glasses

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony J. Hyatt
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  First a movie comes out at the movie theatres. Second, it then comes out on DVD. Last it comes to you local dental clinic? 

The 325th Aeromedical-Dental Squadron received "DVD glasses" three weeks ago that patients can wear. 

The DVD glasses are a pair of glasses that have monitors inset into the glasses. When viewing a DVD movie while wearing the "DVD glasses," it gives the same viewing experience as watching a 50-inch television from 10 feet away. Patients have earphones so they can listen to the movies. 

"Dental visits are not usually a 'fun experience,'" said Lt. Col. Gary Piorkowski, 325th Medical Group Dental Flight commander and dentist. "Laughter and enjoyment are now the standard during longer dental visits at Tyndall dental clinic." 

Patients have used them for two weeks now. 

"I must have laughed a half-dozen times while watching 'Bruce Almighty' during my 90-minute dental visit," said Master Sgt. Anthony Jones, 325th Medical Operations Squadron NCO in charge. 

DVD glasses are now available for longer dental appointments at Tyndall Air Force Base and both patients and dental staff are enjoying the experience said Colonel Piorkowski.
"This was the best dental visit I've had in 21 years," said Sergeant Jones. "Those 'DVD glasses' are awesome." 

There is no cost for using the glasses. They are hooked up to a portable DVD player that is placed on the patients lap so they can control the volume. 

The purpose of the DVD glasses are to give the patient a "distracter," or something interesting to focus their attention on other than the dental treatment at hand stated Colonel Piorkowski. 

The glasses are best suited for longer dental visits. The staff will offer glasses to the patient at the start of the appointment if they have a lot of work to do on the patient.
"One bad thing about the glasses is that the patient usually does not get to finish the whole movie," says the dental staff. 

"Ultimately, the glasses will reduce the patient's anxiety," said Colonel Piorkowski. "This will lend to a more enjoyable dental visit." 

The next time you have a longer appointment scheduled at the dental clinic, bring your favorite DVD from home, kick back in the dental chair and enjoy both your dental appointment and your favorite movie. But if you forget to bring a DVD, the dental clinic has a DVD library to choose from.