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Dentists Helping Dentists
If you have information that would help other dentists,
please email Lisa @ ntds4@yahoo.com
We could all use a little extra help!
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The New Patient Interview
Timothy P. Shannon, DDS
One of the most successful, and valuable, elements of my dental practice has been the “New Patient Interview”. As part of my comprehensive evaluation, I begin with a one-on-one interview with the patient in the consultation room, away from the clinical area. The information gathered from this brief 5-10 minute visit is essential to the treatment planning process.
From this interview you should at a minimum obtain the following:
(1) Why has the patient come to see you;
(2) Does the patient have any dental concerns, and what is the chief complaint(s);
(3) What are the patient’s expectations of you; and,
(4) What is the patient’s dental history?
During the interview, use open-ended questions and listen at least twice as much as you talk. Try not to interrupt, maintain good eye contact, and wait until after the interview to make any notes. You may find that this is a patient you do not want in your practice, perhaps because of unreasonable expectations. If so, you can refer the patient elsewhere and spare yourself a potential problem. Be sure to always address the patient’s chief complaint(s) in treatment. Failure to do so may lose you that patient. I assure you that in most cases significant information will be obtained that will have a direct impact how you treat the patient.
A “New Patient Interview” is a great tool in caring for your patients. It begins the process of developing a relationship that encourages patient confidence and trust. And they will appreciate the fact that you have taken time to listen.
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Treatment Planning for Increased Acceptance
By Dr. H. Arthur Nelson
We are all taught in dental school to do comprehensive treatment planning, but to my knowledge little is discussed about how to treatment plan in the presence of the often uncooperative third party: the patient’s insurance company.
As we all learn sooner or later, insurance companies place maximum dollar amounts on what they are willing to contribute to the patient’s well being per procedure and also per year. Paying attention to these annual limits can help increase case acceptance, especially toward the end of the year. Let the patient know that you are trying to minimize their out-of-pocket expenses for the needed dental work by taking these insurance limitations into consideration and they may show their appreciation by accepting your well-planned treatment recommendations.
By completing a comprehensive treatment plan in phases, you can utilize annual benefits for three years in as little as 13 or 14 months. For example, complete Phase I in Nov-Dec of 2007 utilizing $1500 in annual benefits, then Phase II can be started in Jan 2008 and Phase III in Jan 2009 (that’s $4500 in insurance contributions in 13-14 months!).
And if you do the math, you just sold a case worth $9-10,000 or more because you helped the patient maximize their insurance benefits.
Of course, it requires careful thought in prioritizing treatment to enable this kind of phase dentistry to be done successfully, but you will find that it is well worth the time. Your large case acceptance will increase using this planning technique any time of the year, but especially during the last quarter……HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!
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Consent Forms for Dental Office Use:
DISCLAIMER : These are sample consent forms from members of the North Texas Dental Society. Even though these are consent forms that are currently being used , the North Texas Dental Society does not endorse their legality. We recommend you modify these forms to accommodate your practice style and consult your Attorney for legal review of your forms.
BLEACHING_TEETH_OUTSIDE_THE_DENTAL_OFFICEX_ray_refusal_waiver
CONSENT_FOR_ENDODONTIC_SURGERY
CONSENT_TO_PERFORM_PERIODONTAL_CLEANING
General_Dentistry_Consent_Form
Implant_Patient_Information_And_Consent_Form
Informed_Consent_Statement_for_Periodontal_Therapy
INFORMED_CONSENT_TO_OCCLUSAL_EQUILIBRATION
NITROUS_OXIDE_INFORMED_CONSENT
PATIENT_INFORMATION_AND_CONSENT_FOR_ROOT_CANAL_TREATMENT
Refussal_of_treatment_of_Periodontal_Disease
