{"id":6698,"date":"2021-11-01T14:04:05","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T20:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/?p=6698"},"modified":"2021-11-01T14:04:05","modified_gmt":"2021-11-01T20:04:05","slug":"changing-patient-perceptions-about-dentists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.planetdds.com\/blog\/changing-patient-perceptions-about-dentists\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing Patient Perceptions About Dentists"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019re\u00a0probably painfully\u00a0aware that patients\u00a0don\u2019t always have the best impression about\u00a0dentists.\u00a0Bad past experiences have given many\u00a0patient’s\u00a0a negative perception about dental\u00a0appointments.\u00a0But that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t change those perceptions\u00a0for the better.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not personal<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a general cultural bias that forces you to swim\u00a0against-the-current\u00a0as a dentist.\u00a0Chances are, you have good chair side manners and you\u2019re providing a positive patient experience so any negative perceptions your patient might have\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0actually because of you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, the media\u00a0hasn\u2019t been<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>kind to dentistry through the years. Movies,\u00a0tv shows, and social media\u00a0have\u00a0poked fun at\u00a0the profession\u00a0with\u00a0stereotypes\u00a0\u2013\u00a0many\u00a0of them\u00a0negative.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A patient\u2019s past experiences and conversational\u00a0<\/span>buzz<\/span>\u00a0around dental appointments add to the stereotype,\u00a0too. And though you take steps to minimize pain and anxiety, many\u00a0patients still\u00a0approach the dental chair with fear and loathing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether based in reality or not, patient\u00a0perceptions greatly affect your practice. If patients have anxiety about\u00a0visiting the dentist, they\u2019re less likely to make and keep appointments.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, here\u2019s\u00a0what you can do to help\u00a0improve patient perceptions.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Changing the narrative about dentistry<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Guide\u00a0the conversation in a positive direction<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Start by seeking to understand your patient\u2019s feelings about their dental care. A patient could feel they\u2019re being<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>judged for their poor or lacking oral health routines.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Compliment them\u00a0for investing their time and resources in scheduling and showing up for their appointment.\u00a0Let them know that by coming in, they\u2019re not only taking care of their oral health, they\u2019re improving their overall health, too.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with encouraging words, you also want to listen to\u00a0what your patient has to say.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n