Dentaltown September 2013 - (Page 34)

periodontics message board Patients Who Refuse Perio Treatment » Dentaltown.com > Message Boards > Periodontics > Periodontics > Patients Who Refuse Perio Treatment jstorm Member Since: 01/27/10 Post: 1 of 28 t Check out these related message boards on Dentaltown.com Patients Who Refuse Perio Treatment Search: Refuse Perio I Hate Perio with a Passion Search: Hate Perio t This thread challenges the concept of “supervised neglect.” I purchased a practice a little over a year ago from a retiring dentist. The practice had a lot of undiagnosed perio, no probings, inaccurate radiographs, etc. I have been slowly and cautiously discussing periodontal disease with patients and referring patients I cannot manage in the office – there are unfortunately a lot of them. We are starting to see patients back for a second cleaning appointment , many of whom were putting off coming back because they hadn’t had the recommended treatment prescribed on their first visits. Questions: 1. How do you treat patients who want “just a regular cleaning” but are perio patients? 2. What’s a better way of explaining the severity of the disease process going on in their mouths without being harsh about it? 3. What’s a way to do this without placing or hinting blame on the previous dentist? 4. If a patient signs a refusal to treatment, can I still see them for a prophy twice a year – if they acknowledge the treatment isn’t really helping, but they want it anyway? Thank you for your help. I really just want these patients to know their options and be able to control the disease before they end up in dentures or without some teeth. n FEB 26 2013 Phil’s Grills Member Since: 02/14/12 Post: 2 of 28 How many are you referring out? I’m making a lot of assumptions about their disease severity. Maybe it’s worse than I think, but I would almost always try to treat them in-house before referring out. If you’ve got a practice with a lot of perio needs, Since perio is usually painless and the people hire a hygienist and who develop it usually have a low dental IQ to let her use her skills. She can talk to them begin with, most of them don’t understand and educate them while why they even need regular cleanings, let they’re being treated in your practice, and then the alone why they have to see a specialist. more severe cases will have a better understanding of why they need the referral. Perio is usually the toughest sell to patients who I refer out, though I feel your pain. When patients are in pain and I tell them they need to see the OS or endodontist, they’re ready to go immediately. Since perio is usually painless and the people who develop it usually have a low dental IQ to begin with, most of them don’t understand why they even need regular cleanings, let alone why they have to see a specialist. n FEB 26 2013 jstorm Member Since: 01/27/10 Post: 3 of 28 I send about three referrals a week now – some for implant placement. When I first came to the practice, I sent at least one per day. The severity of the majority of patients is pretty intense – many vertical defects, 7-9mm pockets not unusual. Several non-restorable teeth continued on page 36 34 SEPTEMBER 2013 » dentaltown.com http://www.Dentaltown.com http://www.Dentaltown.com http://www.dentaltown.com/MessageBoard/thread.aspx?a=11&s=2&f=137&t=115217&g=1 http://www.dentaltown.com/MessageBoard/thread.aspx?a=11&s=2&f=170&t=191382&g=1 http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown September 2013

Howard Speaks: Getting Poised for Growth
Professional Courtesy: Say Hello to Great Service
Second Opinion: Why Won’t My Practice Sell?
Advice Regarding #8 RCT and Large Apex
Patients Who Refuse Perio Treatment
Corporate Profile: Sesame Communications
Office Visit: Building Bridges in Dentistry
Enhancing a Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry in the New Economy
Top 10 Questions Dentists Ask When Buying or Selling a Practice
Women’s Time in Dentistry Has Come
The Benefit of Associate Agreements in Dental Practice Sales
Retirement Transition: “Mr.” Instead of “Dr.”, What Do I Do Now?
Paperless is NOT the New Black
Simple Safe Gingivectomy Around Implants Prior to Impression
Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure
In This Issue: Close Your Mouth
Perio Reports
Profile in Oral Health: Nose Breathing for Good Health, Fitness and Correct Craniofacial Development

Dentaltown September 2013