“We need to fix the root of the problem. Otherwise we’re just mechanics replacing a part that will continue to go wrong.” ~Dr. Bruce B. Baird
A lot of patients walk into your office frustrated before they even meet you. It’s not you, it’s dentists in general and why wouldn’t they be frustrated? Dentists keep fixing things in their mouths and the fixes keep breaking down.
This is where I think we’ve made a mistake in dentistry. As a profession, we fix the problem, but don’t educate patients about the underlying cause or long-term solutions but I believe our patients deserve more and if you’re listening to this podcast, you believe that, too.
When I check for decay in a patients mouth, I also checking for acidity or erosion. These are things that can absolutely destroy a person’s dentition and, if the patient doesn’t understand what they are doing to cause more decay, then any work you do for them likely won’t last.
The bottom line is long-term health for these folks is not a reality if we don’t address their risk factors and help them see what is causing the decay and what they can do to help prevent it.
And I repeat, your patient’s risk factors are not your fault but there are ways you can ensure your work lasts and your patients have the information they need to make healthier choices. Join me today as I talk through how I:
- Look for the underlying causes of erosion
- Share information so patients understand the causes of their risk factors
- Remember what is the patient’s responsibility and what is my responsibility
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https://productivedentist.com/podcasts/the-productive-dentist-podcast/episode-135-requested-replay-biomechanical-risk/
Episode 135: Requested Replay – Biomechanical Risk