Archive for the ‘Library’ Category

Face to face

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

I once worked with a dentist who had a second wife, alimony and 4 children. He liked the good life. He also did a lot of crown and bridge work. He surely didn’t mumble through his mask looking down at the patient when he wanted to explain the need for some prosthetics. At the end of the hygiene appointment, he sat the patient up in the dental chair, sat on a stool in front of him and was convincing and sincere. He talked like he was a best friend using non-dental language, photos and visual aids. I enjoyed watching him and he enjoyed being a dentist. This is the key.

This is how your writing needs to be on your website. – a friend talking face-to-face. If you are not sincere and you hate your work, it will show. If you use textbook language you have lost your audience. Personalize your writing in a friendly way. You can address deeper issues like fear, finances and appearance positively.

I also worked with a dentist on a locum who didn’t mind telling everyone that he would rather be driving a cab, treated his staff rudely and was very rough. When a new dentist came to town he lost many of his clients.

Attitude like this will show in your writing. I can help you with this.

The reason I am able to do this is because I have worked with so many dentists who explain a procedure in textbook language with a mask on, looking down at the client. When he leaves the room, the client says “What did he say anyway?”

Intercultural Communication

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Our communities are becoming increasingly culturally divergent. Health problems are often compromised by the inability to communicate. Sometimes it is just so simple to find out just one thing that can make a big difference to your patient and therefore to ensure fidelity to you and your practice. Is he from a culture that stresses individualism or togetherness? Do you allow the whole family into your operatory when the patient is from a togetherness culture? 

http://www.webpagecontent.com/arc_archive/184/5/

From: UMichDent : Part of a series on communication between oral health care providers and patients. This video demonstrates effective ways health care providers (in this case, a dentist) can engage patients in discussion about their primary concerncultural health beliefs, and encourage patient participation in the development of a realistic treatment plan.

http://bit.ly/8EAyh3

Canine Patrol

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

lucy_labradoodleCanine Greeters in dental offices can be comforting for some dog-loving patients. In my travels, I have seen a few “staff” dogs in dental offices. They look like dogs with jobs, making sure everyone is in the right place, greeting clients and providing a distraction from pain and stress. They seem to sense when there is a need.
Here, in Victoria I have met Lucy, a labradoodle, who is an official staff member at Academy Dental. She takes her job seriously and patients also enjoy watching her play ball on the side lawn.

http://www.dentistvictoria.com/location/1195-fort-st-main 

Therapy dogs have been used in many care centres in recent years. It might be a good idea to certify your dog through SPCA in an Animal Assisted Therapy program. The dog should be calm and friendly.



The Iterative Process

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

I like the word “iterative”. A procedure that involves repetition of steps (iteration) to achieve the desired outcome.

When we are doing the writing for your website, there is an iterative process. Interview-writing- reading editing-another interview-more writing-re-editing and on and on until we have an excellent, professional and great piece to publish on your site.


Writing as a Team

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

When looking through your website, you would like your reader to feel as if they are already in your office. You already have an inviting photo of your waiting room, your operatories and your staff to convey a welcome. The writing in your website might also add to that feeling by addressing topics as a team.

“Dr. Nicely and his team understand that you have a busy day, so we make every effort to start your appointment on time”


Crowns

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

crown_bridge_01-1

The terms “crown” and “cap” describe the same thing. It is like a “helmet” that covers and protects a tooth.

This cover fits over a tooth that has been damaged by decay, fractured, or is aesthetically not pleasing. The tooth is “prepared” by your dentist, and usually requires more than one visit to complete.

A crown can be made of acrylic, metal, porcelain, or porcelain bonded to metal. Porcelain crowns look more like your natural teeth, and therefore are usually used for front teeth, while porcelain bonded to metal is stronger and better for crowns in the back of the mouth. Sometimes all-metal crowns are used for back teeth because of its increased strength.

Implants

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Although there are many ways to restore a tooth, a dental implant is the only way to replace a root.
There are two basic uses for dental implants:

-As an artificial root for a single tooth replacement.
-As anchors for a fixed or removable prosthesis to replace multiple teeth.

While dental bridges and dentures can restore chewing ability along with the appearance of a gap-free smile, only dental implants can help to halt loss of bone material. When teeth are lost, the bone that formerly supported those teeth can begin to atrophy and weaken over time. If left unchecked, this process, called resorption, can cause the jawbone to become unstable and lead to further tooth loss.
Implants provide permanent teeth replacement. Titanium screws are surgically inserted into the jaw bone like the natural roots of teeth then the Implant can hold crowns, bridges or dentures in order to give you the most natural and best fit possible.

http://www.perio.org/consumer/2m.htm

Check out http://www.dentalmuseum.org/

Friday, June 12th, 2009