Media: Radio and Television Referral Sources Another way to search for a dental professional is through the media. Periodically you hear about a dental professional who has a radio or television show. Being able to listen to the person speak or just watch a dental professional on televi- sion can be one advantage over print advertising and even word-of-mouth referrals.
Listening to someone on the radio will help you consider how this person presents himself or herself. Presentation is very important professionally! If a professional takes the time to appear on radio or television, then he or she might have a higher interest in educating the public in dental health and be more in tune with your needs.
Dial 1-800-Dentist
You can find 1-800-Dentist advertisements on television commercials. The dentists listed pay for the advertisements and their listings on 1-800-Dentist.
Magazine Articles
Be cautious. Many people hire public relations professionals to help them market their services. So be careful of maga- zine articles that name celebrity clients in the article, as this doesn’t necessarily mean the dentist is of the highest quality.
Read between the lines.
does not fill your needs. If the dental hygienist who works for your dentist doesn’t satisfy your needs, then use the den- tist of your choice, but select your own dental hygienist. If you are unhappy with your hygienist, you can still ask your dentist to work on you while you use an independent con- tractor dental hygienist. She or he must be authorized by the dentist she or he rents a chair from. If you need a referral source, my number and address are listed in this book. I can refer readers to other hygienists who are independent con- tractors throughout the United States.
Select a holistic dental hygienist, one who works with natural products and herbs. He or she works on the whole person and uses many systems and plans, including diet and nutritional control.
Questions to ask to find a good dental hygienist profes- sional include:
• What is your philosophy as a dental hygienist?
• How many years have you practiced?
• Do you love your work?
• Do you believe in the nonsurgical approach to peri- odontal disease?
• Are you empathetic?
• Are you light-handed?
• Do you teach dental hygiene home care?
A dental hygienist can prevent the onset of periodontal disease, and if the disease has already progressed, he or she may help reverse the disease process.
Here are some of the questions that you should ask your new dental professional on the first visit for treatment for a nonsurgical approach to gum disease:
• How deep are my gum pockets? (Gum pockets, the spaces between the gum and the bone, are measured by the hygienist to determine the severity of your gum disease.)
• Do you think you can help reverse my gum disease?
• What is your natural approach for reversal of my con- dition?
• Do your treatments hurt? What should I expect during treatment?
• Is there pain after the treatment?
• Will you help me put together a dental hygiene home care program?
• How many treatments will I need?
• How many times a year will I have to see you?
• What is the cost of these treatments?
• Have you had good results from a nonsurgical approach to gum disease?
• Can gum disease return after treatment?
• Do you work with any specific diet?
• Should I stay away from any food during treatment?
• Should I take Advil or aspirin during or before treat- ment?
• How does helping remove gum disease help in total wellness?
• Will I be able to see the results?
Ask these questions before and after treatment if neces- sary. Answers to your questions will help you heal!
Educational information removes questions from the mind, leaving you secure and confident to heal! Trust and confi-
dence can be achieved with knowledge, which will then reinforce the professional treatments.
Here are some hints on how to work closely and more efficiently with your dental professional:
• Be on time for your appointment.
• Try not to cancel or change too many appointments.
• If you have a medical or physical problem, be sure to inform your dental professional.
• Don’t squirm or fall off the chair. (Trust!)
• Don’t rush the professional. Asking your dental pro- fessional to hurry up may hinder your treatment.
• Do not try to compromise the dental professional’s fees. If you cannot afford the fees, say so in the begin- ning. Do not manipulate the dental professional to accept less than his or her standard fee. Payment plans can be presented before treatment starts.
• Do not eat candy or chew gum before a treatment.
• If you are not sure about the treatment, then ask ques- tions before it starts.
• Compliment the hygienist who is working on you.
Don’t forget, he or she has been working hard all day trying to save teeth.
• Schedule another appointment when you leave.
• Pay for your treatment promptly if possible. Don’t wait for the office to bill you.
• Go for your follow-up visits routinely, and schedule your maintenance visits ahead of time.
These rules will help you develop a better relationship with your dental professional. He or she will value your
consideration. It is important that an empathetic connection is made between the dental professional and the patient.
Pretend that you are the dental professional and evaluate what your needs would be to care for you as the patient. This could help you to understand the dental professional’s needs.
Empathize!