A patient calls your office. Their crown fell out for the second time. You agree to fix the crown, although you’re certain they’ll be back in a year. At some point, you gotta ask yourself, “Why does my dentistry keep failing? And why is it with the same patient?”
It’s not always the dentist’s fault. Sometimes, dentistry fails because the patient has an underlying health problem. Those problems often stem from unhealthy lifestyle choices, like eating junk food or drinking two beers every night. Maybe their marriage is struggling, or their job is super stressful. Whatever it is, it’s impacting their teeth. And their teeth won’t get better until their lifestyle gets better.
Fixing the tooth won’t fix the problem. You have to take a step back and look at the patient’s overall health. After all, it’s not a tooth that walks into your office. It’s a person!
You can’t fix all their problems, but you CAN encourage them to take charge of their health. Teeth are the gateway to bigger, deeply-rooted problems. Dentistry can reveal the early signs of diabetes and even help prevent a heart attack. Be the reason patients seek medical help!
I was fortunate enough to sit down with Dr. Uche Odiatu and discuss this very topic. To hear our conversation, tune in to episode #651 of The Best Practices Show!
And be sure to watch our latest video to find out how YOU can become a dental lifestyle detective.
Let’s turn dental care into comprehensive care!