Say you take your car into the shop for a routine oil change, and they come to you with a list of expensive repairs a mile long. Would you blindly follow their recommendations without finding out the purpose behind all of those repairs? I certainly hope not.
When it comes to medical or dental procedures, patients sometimes follow doctors’ recommendations blindly, going in for procedures or treatments without really knowing the in’s and out’s. I’m passionate about talking my patients through every procedure, educating them on the why and how, as well as giving them the tools to wisely choose what’s best for them.
At Elite Smiles, we believe that communication and patient education make up a huge part of a long, successful doctor-patient relationship.
Clear and Consistent Communication. Your health is one area of your life that you definitely don’t want to be left in the dark. We go above and beyond to let our patients know what’s going on and what to expect.
Elite Smiles friendly staff is here to answer any concerns or questions that you have no matter how big or small. Our style of communication is meant to help quell any fears that you may have and keep you in the loop about all appointments, preparations, or procedures.
Innovative Education Tools. Our office has advanced imaging technology to help educate patients about their options. These digital imaging tools can actually show you what the effects of various treatments or, in some cases, the negative effects of not getting treatment may be. This helps you understand exactly what your procedure is doing to improve your health and what you can expect during and afterward.
Aligned Expectations. Speaking of what to expect, I’ve found that everything runs more smoothly when both the doctor and the patient have expectations that are aligned. I talk at length with each patient about what’s going to happen during a procedure, as well as what happens next.
Knowing all of this can help calm any anxiety you have surrounding your procedure. If you can go into the procedure with accurate expectations, you can be more prepared both mentally and physically.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask. I never consider questions from patients annoying or bothersome. Whenever you come to me with a question about your treatment or your health, that helps me educate you. Don’t ever hesitate to ask me any question you have; I’m always happy to help you find the answer.
Education is Empowerment. I wrote an entire book to educate others on the importance of your oral health. The more you know about your teeth, the better you can care for them. Educating yourself on your oral health can help you keep your smile strong and healthy for a lifetime, as well as have a huge positive impact on your overall health.
The more you know, the less you will fear, empowering you to take control of your health sooner rather than later. If you want to learn more about keeping your mouth safe and healthy, check out my book Why Your Teeth Might Be Killing You: A Dentist’s Guide to a Longer, Healthier Life.
