CHILDREN’S ORAL HEALTH, A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN A LIFELONG HEALTH HABIT

For over a generation now, dentists have had the knowledge, materials, and skill to begin youngsters on a lifelong path of oral health. Ask a child, “How long should your teeth last?”, and provide him or her a quick, accurate answer, “As long as the end of your nose! With proper care teeth were meant to last a lifetime.”

Quoting Dr. Stephen J. Goepferd in an article written 25 years ago for the ASDC Journal of Dentistry for Children, “Because of their current knowledge about nursing caries, the effectiveness pit and fissure sealants, fluorides, factors that influence dental caries, and the most recent and appropriate feeding and dietary recommendations, dentists are in a singular position to assist parents in rearing children who are caries-free. If we begin before the onset of disease, our chances for success are greatly enhanced. Children’s oral health should not be ignored or neglected until three years of age. Increasingly, parents of infants and toddlers are requesting preventive dental services for their children.”

Peruse Practicon’s catalog for a wealth of items to help dental teams teach and inspire both parents and children on the caries-free quest.

ARE ALL PATIENTS TREATED SIMILARLY IN YOUR OFFICE?

“Treated similarly” obviously does not refer to like clinical procedures. It refers to courtesy, friendliness, empathy, care, and efficiency of the appointment. As individuals, the dental team brings an amalgamation of preconceptions and experiences to the office. The dentist and staff must use caution to avoid judging each patient and then treating them according to their own preconceptions or prejudices based on past experience. No obvious delight with extra time and concern for Mrs. Gotrocks VS conspicuous impatience and hurried treatment for Mr. Havenot. Since this is most likely never a problem in your office, please consider this a simple “blogged” reminder to those few other offices in which it may be.

OFFICE APPEARANCE DOES MATTER---A LOT!

Think the old faded sign out front of your office doesn’t matter?
Think the overgrown, weed-riddled office landscaping doesn’t matter?
Think the finger-printed, cracked paint around the office doesn’t matter?
Think the stained carpet and worn reception room or operatory chairs don’t matter?
Think the bug carcasses in the overhead light panels don’t matter?
Think a messy lab visible to patients doesn’t matter?
THINK AGAIN!!
Successful dental practices are not necessarily in the latest, greatest buildings, but they are in the cleanest, most squared away, most updated, attractive spaces. Suggestion: You and your staff spend a staff meeting walking around the office, inside and outside, observing and making notes. Then plan ways to bring it to excellence.

WHO SAID THAT??

“Life is not so much about avoiding black cloud days as it is about learning to dance in the rain.” Anonymous

“My definite observation: The staff takes its cues from the doctor in punctuality, enthusiasm, attitude, professional conduct, caring, dress, neatness, and industriousness, to name several critical areas.” Henry Robinson, DDS

“There is no right way to do something wrong.” Anonymous

“Preach the gospel at all times and, when necessary, use words.” St. Francis of Assisi

MARKETING VIA WWW

Is your practice website current, attractive, informative? If not, make it so! Many patients, particularly newcomers in an area, find their way to a provider by searching websites. A hint to extend practice web exposure: check website services available through your state dental society. Many state societies offer a “Find-a-Dentist” feature that links directly to members’ practices via a dentist’s name, city, county or specialty. New patients via www---one of the most effective, least expensive marketing tools.