Conversations in confidence
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 23rd November 2022
Nowadays, patients have an abundance of choice when it comes to dental treatment – but sometimes too much choice can be overwhelming. With influences from the media, family and friends, paired with financial concerns, many patients may not make the most appropriate choice for their situation. With the allure of a ‘quick fix’ treatment at an affordable rate, it’s unsurprising that many choose this path without first exploring their options and gaining advice from a trusted professional.
How can patients clear the mist and make more informed choices? All they need is a knowledgeable and skilled professional, who can guide them in the right direction – and that’s where you come in.
Choices, choices
As you well know, patient trends are always shifting and changing, sometimes in ways that may seem surprising. Indeed, they can often be contrary in nature. While some patients seek to only tweak their natural smile, others opt for more conspicuous changes. As a result, there’s been an influx of enhanced procedures, materials and products to help meet the plethora of patient demands. While this is certainly a positive thing, demonstrating the profession’s ability to cater to their patients’ ever-changing needs, it does mean that tailored guidance is important now more than ever.
In recent years, the incidence of patients going abroad for treatment has risen dramatically, where they’re often tempted by the opportunity for cheaper treatment and a holiday. The BBC, in a recent documentary, contacted 150 dental clinics abroad posing as a potential patient interested in improving their smile, followed by some pictures. 70 out of the 120 clinics that responded recommended treatments like crowns or veneers, which would of course involve removing healthy tissue.[i] As you have no doubt seen, in both the news and in your daily practice, a large number of complications can result from patients choosing a cheaper treatment alternative.
Media influences are partly to blame for the spreading of misinformation and unrealistic standards. It has become increasingly challenging for dental professionals to tackle this phenomenon, where patients come to them seeking treatment that is unsuitable for their specific situation. Or worse, seeing patients who have already undergone treatment and are struggling with the aftermath of a failed procedure.
So how can you help? It all starts with a conversation.
What’s new?
When patients visit your clinic, there are plenty of opportunities to get the word out about different treatment options, in an accessible and understandable way. If a patient mentions something they are dissatisfied with and would like to change, this is a prime opportunity to open a line of communication. A lot of the time, dental issues such as tooth wear, erosion or staining are the main cause of aesthetic concerns, but treating them can be relatively straightforward. Patients don’t need much, if any, natural structure removed to make only minor corrections – and this may come as a surprise to them! By opening up a line of communication with the patient about their smile, you can inspire them to think more constructively about their desires, encouraging them away from invasive treatments if they aren’t necessary.
Patients who have mildly-misaligned teeth can opt for a flexible treatment with clear aligners, or individuals who have some staining can have their teeth whitened for an instant and noticeable enhancement – sometimes it only takes a slight tweak to give patients that boost of confidence. Treatments such as composite restorations are conservative and economical, and are also versatile. With this skill, you can restore carious, fractured or worn teeth, preserving as much of the natural tooth as possible. For many patients who have aesthetic concerns, a composite procedure might be the ideal treatment for them.
Walk the walk
At the end of the day, all patients want is a smile they can be proud to show off, and with an inclusive range of treatment offerings, you can help them achieve just that.
If you’re interested in diversifying your practice, why not have a look at the courses from IAS Academy? For instance, their Anterior and Posterior Composite course, delivered by Dr Shiraz Kahn, is perfect for all experience levels. The programme, set over two days, explores how to diagnose, plan and restore posterior and anterior composite restorations, enabling you to deliver a conservative, functional and aesthetic treatment modality. Dr Kahn covers a range of techniques to enhance your skillset and help you provide more for your patients. The next available dates are the 13th-14th January 2023 – be sure to book your place now!
Many patients, whether through a lack of information or misguidance, may underestimate the value of quality dental care. By improving your skillset, you’ll be able to better guide and treat your patients, ensuring that they not only receive a beautiful treatment outcome, but also one that is functional and long-lasting.
For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses, please visit www.iasortho.com or call 01932 336470 (Press 1)
Dr Tif Qureshi founder and a clinical director of IAS Academy
Dr Tif Qureshi founder and a clinical director of IAS Academy, qualified from Kings College London in 1992. He is a Past President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an International faculty that provides mentored education for general dentists on a pathway from appropriate simple to comprehensive orthodontics.
Tif has a special interest in simple orthodontics and truly minimally invasive dentistry. He has committed his life’s work to empowering dentists to provide important alternative techniques. He offers a wide variety of treatments to many more patients, while always respecting the fundamental precepts of orthodontics.
Tif also pioneered the concept of Progressive Smile Design through Alignment, Bleaching, Bonding – a course that combines tooth alignment, composite bonding and teeth whitening to produce superior smiles using techniques with the absolute minimum of invasiveness available today.
An experienced teacher in the Dahl concept, Tif shows how this technique is used to plan tooth alignment and minimise invasive dentistry in the development of a beautiful smile.
Tif now lectures and published scientific articles internationally.
[i] Turkey teeth: Are cut-price reality TV teeth worth it? (2022). BBC News. [online] 14 Jul. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62100044 [Accessed 25 Aug. 2022].
