Working in partnership

We should look, learn and listen to patients and ascertain more than oral fitness before placing implants.

When we talk of the changes within the dental profession that have occurred within the past 25 years (and the pace has been febrile), we normally think of the technical advances that have been made. But attitudinally the profession has altered significantly.

Of course there have been wide ranging cultural changes in our society and these are often reflected in the way dentistry is practised. But it is the rise in consumerism that has had, and will increasingly have, the greatest influence. Today the patient has greater knowledge and confidence and more choice. The days of simply respecting dentists because they are members of  ‘a profession’ are long gone. Patients are now consumers and prepared to demonstrate their power through litigation.

I practise in Bearsden, Glasgow and have been placing implants since 1991.  I am something of a student of change and acknowledge that much of this change has been, and is being, forced on dentists, like it or not.