Mint Write

Face to face

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:02:35 +0000

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

admin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:07:01 +0000

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 concern, cultural health beliefs, and encourage patient participation in the development of a realistic treatment plan.

http://bit.ly/8EAyh3

Canine Patrol

admin — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:34:26 +0000

Canine 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

admin — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:18:27 +0000

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

admin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:54:23 +0000

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

admin — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:39:06 +0000

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.

Marketing for dentistry

admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:37:16 +0000

The writing or content for your website is an important part of your marketing.

Talk like you speak. Write your biography and I can help you edit this.

Know your existing and potential patients. Respect their intelligence.

If you speak in technical, dental textbook language, you will likely lose your reader.

Original, credible content is the most important part of your site.

You should provide valuable information in user-friendly language.

Your site should be well-organized/easy to navigate. First impressions count. (pun intended)

Potential clients can click away to another place in a second so we want writing to hold their attention and provide relevant information in scannable format.

As a dental hygienist, I have spent time explaining dental procedures and terms to patients. I have had the time and a “captive audience” usually for an hour. It doesn’t matter if your patient is a millwright, a physician or a retired nurse, dentistry is still a mystery and something for which most people would rather be in denial. So we need language that is compassionate, comprehensible and not patronizing. Pictures help.

Check out:

http://www.thewealthydentist.com/
http://www.thevisibledentist.com/blog/copy-writing-save-time-solve-problems/#comments

Implants

admin — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:37:42 +0000

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/

admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:27:49 +0000

When your teeth are alive

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:08:57 +0000

Teeth can be sensitive for many reasons.

Pressure
Sensitivity to chewing pressure can be caused by:
• Clenching/Grinding
• Decay
• Abscess
• Cracked tooth

Sweets
Sensitivity to sweet foods is usually caused by decay.

Hot and/or Cold
Sensitivity to hot and/or cold foods usually indicates:
• Decay
• Abscess
• Worn Teeth (Attrition)
• Receded Gums
It is not unusual for recent dental restorations to be sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure. This sensitivity should decrease with time. If sensitivity from a recent dental restoration worsens or persists, contact your dentist.

Bleaching can also temporarily cause mild sensitivity during treatment that disappears within a few days.

Toothache
Sensitivity due to a dental problem will worsen with time and become a toothache. A toothache is not like a headache. It won’t just go away, even if the pain temporarily subsides. The problem that is causing the pain will just get worse, as will the pain, and simple treatment may no longer be possible. At the first sign of a toothache, contact your dentist.

http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/cda/news_events/media/news_releases/2003/03_27_2003.asp