“Handle the objection before it becomes an objection.” – Dr. Bruce Baird
Brief Overview
Every dentist faces failures—veneers pop off, teeth become sensitive, implants don’t integrate. But how you communicate about those possibilities makes all the difference. In this episode of the Productive Dentist Podcast, Dr. Bruce Baird reflects on decades of dentistry and reveals why transparency about risk transforms patient relationships, lowers stress, and increases case acceptance.
What This Episode Reveals
• Why patients blame you when things go wrong
• How to set expectations upfront without creating fear
• The language that builds trust before, during, and after treatment
• Why honesty about potential complications leads to more referrals
What You’ll Learn
• How to reduce stress by preparing patients for possible outcomes
• Practical scripts for explaining sensitivity, veneer failures, and denture limitations
• Why “handling objections before they’re objections” is the secret to thriving long-term
• How clear communication can turn potential frustration into lasting trust
If This Sounds Familiar
• You feel personally responsible every time a patient has a post-op issue
• Patients get angry because they weren’t prepared for complications
• Stress builds because you’re always reacting instead of leading conversations
NEXT STEPS
Handle the objection before it becomes an objection.
The Clinical Calibration Institute helps you:
• Align your team
• Improve communication
• Build systems that turn confusion into clarity
- Learn More at ProductiveDentist.com/CCI
Handling Failures with Grace