The Road to Getting Dentistry Done: Diagnosis, Treatment Planning, and Acceptance
Modern technology quickly routes our paths from point A to point B once we specify our desired destination.
In dentistry, the goal is to achieve treatment acceptance. Filling the schedule with accepted procedures is where we can truly assist our patients, and it’s essential that our team recognizes this and works towards this objective.
When patients contact your office, they are seeking the destination. Explain to patients how your office customizes the treatment plan for individuals based on the office’s philosophy of care. This plan allows the right patients to join alongside you on their road to a better smile.
The Journey
Our journey begins with the diagnosis. It is essential for your dentist and the entire practice to clearly define the diagnosis process so that everyone on the team understands how and why we will guide the patient to their desired outcome.
Our office starts with a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s oral health. To ensure we meet our standard of care, we evaluate five key areas of the mouth: gums, teeth condition, bite, aesthetics, and sleep. Patients seeking a quick fix for a single tooth might not recognize the value of a thorough dental baseline.
Our process includes a commitment to care from our providers and patients. We aim for our patients’ journeys to be enjoyable, understandable, safe, and efficiently tailored to their well-being.
What you do with the diagnosis from here is where the separation of philosophies lies, and comprehensive treatment plans are born. Diagnosing a cracked tooth, missing teeth, misaligned teeth, etc., is relatively straightforward for the average dentist.
To be successful with this approach, everyone on the team must know how the doctor prefers to treat specific diagnoses. Having a team that can reiterate precisely what the doctor says and does will instill trust and peace of mind in the patients.
Helping Patients Understand
People spend their money on things that make them feel good. Much of the world does not classify dentistry as a fun and exciting way to spend money. The experience around dentistry must be exceptional for people to accept it.
We are responsible for breaking the money barrier. Most patients need to learn what dentistry costs and realize we can help them afford it. It does not mean it will not be hard, or that there will not be sacrifices, but that is their decision.
Creating value and presenting confidently will make patients more willing to accept the treatment plan. Again, confidence helps in discussing finances. It is even easier to discuss dental budgets when a patient values the dentistry presented to them. If the dental team understands the patient’s goals, creating value for the patient is easy.
Guiding Patients Toward Confident Treatment Acceptance
If we do not guide the patient to accept a treatment plan, we risk simply giving them a joyride. In other words, your office may have the most accurate diagnostic techniques and well-structured treatment plans, but they become ineffective if the patient decides to abandon the path.
Achieving the ultimate goal of patient acceptance of a proposed treatment plan requires refined diagnosis and treatment planning skills. Most importantly, it demands courage and clarity.
About the Author
Brittany Allen, DAADOM
Brittany Allen is an accomplished business director passionate about creativity and leadership. Holding an MBA (and an Interior Design degree) from Baylor University, she works alongside her husband to manage a thriving multi-location private practice in East Texas.
With a keen eye for detail and a strategic business mindset, she helps lead their practice to new heights while ensuring their mission of excellent leadership in both the office and the community is always at the forefront.
Brittany enjoys traveling, playing mahjong, and hanging out with her family and cats in her free time.
