I believe that my success as a dentist begins and ends with a patient’s smile.
That may result in a patient opting for a temporary solution to a problem until they are better able to afford the most desired solution, or it may mean that the patient will choose what they believe to be the best fit for their circumstances.
No matter how the end result is worked out, if they have made an informed decision and they are happy with their decision, it is a win-win for all involved.
I make a very strong effort to make sure all of my patients have several options for any of their dental problems. Our consult room gets a lot of use. I so often hear patients complain about previous experiences at other clinics where they felt like they were heavily influenced, made to feel guilty about, or even forced into choosing a particular option, or they were given only one option.
At Brantford North Dental, patient concerns are heard and their decisions are respected.
I try to make the patient understand that there are short-term and long-term gains and then together, we weigh the benefits of each. There are different variables for each patient and one of those could be the age of the patient, for example. They may look at the long-term benefits and say it is not as important for them as it might be for someone younger.
They have to know what each option entails, not just what the ideal option is. What is ideal for one person may not be ideal for another. More often than not, for any one problem, there is more than one solution.
If something is urgent I will give them a temporary solution while they make up their mind. If they need to wait until they have more time on their hands or more funds in the bank, that’s fine. Nobody needs to feel pressured into something, or feel they need to compromise. I always give patients time to review information so they don’t feel rushed.
For example, some people may opt for removable dentures as a tooth replacement option so their financial worries are lessened. That is a perfectly prudent and practical decision. It’s not a huge compromise; In the history of teeth replacement, dentures have the longest track record and when done correctly, can very well satisfy patient needs.
I always ensures dentures are properly fitted to each individual so they can continue to enjoy life to the fullest.
Furthermore, I have seen clinics offer two types of dentures – regular and ‘premium.’ When my patients opt for dentures, they will always get the best – for one reasonable fee. I always ensure dentures are properly fitted to each individual so they can continue to enjoy life to the fullest. To me, there is no such thing as less than premium – in dentures, or in any of the dentistry I provide, for that matter.
Others may make the decision to go with implants, something I also provide to many of my patients who are looking for a longer-term, more natural feeling solution to tooth replacement.
Again, there is no ‘right’ answer. Everyone should be able to choose what’s best for themselves and their unique situation.
I am rather proud of the fact that Brantford North Dental provides a wide range of cosmetic, general dentistry and orthodontic services to people of all ages.
Steven Deskin is a Dentist in general practice.
