In our office, not only do we want to create a great smile for our patients, but we also want to give a great chair-side manner as well. We want patients to feel like they personally matter.As professionals, we expect certain things out of our patients such as maintaining good oral hygiene throughout treatment as well as compliance. These things are essential for a spectacular end result. There are certain qualities that make for a great patient, and they include being excited about treatment, getting regular cleanings with their general Dentist, having good hygiene at each visit and being compliant with elastic wear if needed to complete treatment. Also, taking care of their braces and only eating braces friendly food makes for a great orthodontic experience.
Patients can improve the way they approach treatment by having a good attitude about starting their journey in braces and continuing the excitement during treatment. If we can educate patients in orthodontics and why we are treating them, they will have more of an understanding and will hopefully be just a excited about it as we are.
As for doctor-patient relationships, I think they can improve by making sure they have an understanding about their treatment. When we approach the patients, we greet them by calling them by their first name and simply talking to them just a few minutes during their appointment by asking them what their hobbies and interests are. When we are on a personal level, the patient feels very comfortable and they leave by feeling they were truly treated at a full 100% and had a great experience.
--Shannon Hicks, Chairside Assistant at Wilson Orthodontics
