The confidence to say yes

Boota Singh Ubhi explores the impact of positive communication with patients.

Helping your patients accept treatment can be a challenge for a variety of reasons. Aside from cost, certain barriers may include a poor understanding of medical terminology, dental anxiety or a lack of connection with the dentist. This can be frustrating for dentists, as their patients are not receiving the care they need. The reasons that individuals decide not to move forward are endless, but knowing how to navigate the situation is the first step to increasing treatment acceptance.

For complex procedures, such as dental implants, patient understanding and awareness is even more crucial. As patients will undergo surgery and a long healing period, those who don’t fully appreciate the treatment’s importance, as well as its benefits for them, may simply decline to proceed, to save further time and confusion. As their dentist, it is your job to demystify dentistry and encourage their understanding, and confidence, in the implant procedure. So, what are the ways that you can help patients feel comfortable and self-assured when accepting treatment?