Modern Hygienist - September 2008 - (Page 22)

patients | KIDS FIRST Creating comfort Addressing the di erent needs of young patients and their parents. by Judith Dember-Paige, RDH The way to a child’s heart is through his or her parents. Letting the parents know what is expected of them from the very beginning is important when treating their child. They may know something about your practice from visiting the office Web site, but you can make sure they know all your best points by providing them with supplemental reading material such as a list of the top 10 things they should know about your practice. It is difficult to change a first impression, so establishing mutual respect with parents early on is important to make sure the relationship gets off to a great start. FIRST IMPRESSIONS With half-size dentition, flossable teeth and bendable extremities that can hold two toothbrushes, fun plush teaching aides like Lil Magi Dragon and other Plak Posse Palz from Paragon Int’l Inc. can help get children excited about proper brushing and oral healthcare. Visit teachingaid.com. Our reception rooms are no longer referred to as waiting areas, and patients enter our offices expecting to be seen on time for their appointment. It’s easy to make a great first impression by simply anticipating their arrival and being ready with a warm, friendly greeting. Smiling can diffuse tension a parent may be feeling when visiting your office for the first time. Taking the time to get to know your new patients by asking a few questions can help them know they are important to your practice right away. While it’s fine to provide a friendly greeting and to get to know new patients in the reception area, a warm safe environment is needed for later discussions of future treatment. When reviewing a child’s medical history with the parent, take the opportunity to share something about the doctor, the staff and what makes your office special. The person who interviews the parent and child should show enthusiasm when talking about his or her role in the practice. Take a moment to introduce them to other staff members and give them a tour through your facility. You can use the tour to highlight some of your practice’s best features. Whether it’s a digital x-ray system, a computer in your treatment rooms, or a paperless office workflow, your patients and parents should get to see what makes you proud of your office. Patients come to trust a dental practice because of their association with not only the doctor but also their relationship with the staff. Assigning the same staff member to be with a patient throughout a visit can bring consistency and harmony to the appointment. This also will ensure the patient and parents know who to talk with to make sure all their needs are met and questions are answered. kids rst A spin-off of our children’s access to care campaign, this column focuses on specialized care and education for young patients. ELEMENTARY TERMS As a rule of thumb, try to encourage children to become independent when they go from the reception room to the treatment room. Use 22 modernhygienist.com | September 2008 PHOTO: IMAGE SOURCE/GETTY IMAGES http://www.teachingaid.com http://www.modernhygienist.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Modern Hygienist - September 2008

Modern Hygienist - September 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Letters Modern Solutions Access Denied Kids First: Creating Comfort Worn Out? Voice of a VIP Hands-on Hygiene: Magnification In Focus Digital Persuasion That "Other" Female Cancer Ad Index Classifieds Moonlighting

Modern Hygienist - September 2008

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