I agree with you both. I don’t know 100% why they were opposed. I didn’t exactly know about it in school they just addressed it once and then we didn’t go back. I think it was because the studies that were done weren’t enough to convince them that it was a huge advantage.

I work for an office that some patients have had S/RP a couple years ago. Since then, they have had prophy’s charged out. What do you guys suggest to discuss with the patient that they are actually having the wrong coded treatment? I know it’s not accurate that the office is doing this but I’ve seen it at other offices as well. It makes it so confusing for patients!!

I have a patient like this. We call him the lip muscle clenching champion. He does it because he’s anxious and he even chuckles at himself for doing it. I just have to constantly say “Just relax….relax….relax” and that calms him down. It sounds strange and it was a little awkward at first but it really does make him release the tension because he is consciously thinking about it. Give it a try!

I was recently put from full time to part time and decided to look for another part time job. It is difficult with a lack of jobs out there! I think you are doing what you can with trying to follow up and sending emails afterwards. I have not gotten responses back either when sending a thank you email. The right job will come up and as I’m sure you already have done, try calling fellow hygienists in the area that you may know. Sometimes jobs aren’t posted online but more of a who you know basis. I’ve heard from others that walking into an office and handing them a resume/asking about temporarily subbing is also a good option. Good luck!

I had to fill the shoes of a great hygienist who left to be a director of a dental hygiene program at a university. Very intimidating since this was my first job out of hygiene school! I just asked the front desk to include in the confirmation calls that they would be seeing a new hygienist, which lessened the confused looks. However, I still delt with the “she was a great hygienist, I’m going to miss her” I always told the patient I’d take the challenge and win them over. They usually appreciated my new tips or tricks that I learned in school. The first recall with most of those patients went great. They usually come back with a smile on their face saying they are glad it’s the same person again. It all takes time.

I have this issue as well. It seems that no matter what you say they will refuse it and give an answer usually involving radiation. In reality, I’m sure it has more to do with money. It takes some getting used to, but try asking what their fear is or hesitation with it first. If it is radiation discuss how it’s the same as spending an hour out in the sun. If it is money, try explaining that they are paying for an exam as well which cannot be thorough without the x-rays. Decay found sooner is always easier on the patient and has a better prognosis.

I’m sure you may be doing this already, but I hope it helps!

At our office we have a Groupon for our in office whitening out right now. A lot of the patients already have a DDS but we recruit a good amount as well. We also go to surrounding bigger businesses around the area that we know carry dental insurance that we accept and give goodie bags (toothbrush, DDS description, floss, toothpaste).

With every new patient cleaning/x-rays/exam we offer free custom made whitening trays or an electric toothbrush. If a patient refers another to our office we give our current patient a free in office whitening, whitening trays, or a gift card to a surrounding business.

I work for an office that has had a lot of turnover in Dr’s since the previous owner retired 3 years ago. Because of that we are now trying to grow the practice again and trying new ways to do so. I hope we start seeing fuller schedules soon! It’ll be nice to hear what other offices are doing as well.

I love all of the above answers and do most of this techniques as well. I also just ask what their usual hygiene routine is throughout the day. Usually flossing isn’t listed and so I just go into education at that pout stating to ease into it with 2x a week and adding on from there. One of my patients said Maybe I will tape my floss container to my toothbrush!” Whatever works!

At my office we have an hour for prophy and perio maintenance appointments. If I feel like I need more time due to their anxiety, calculus buildup, lots of talking, etc. my office is usually ok with me adding as much time as I need (within reason).
 
Children ages 3-9 are scheduled for 40 minutes and 10+ years are scheduled for an hour. I like having an hour for pre-teens and teenagers because a lot of them have braces which take awhile to floss!
 
S/RP is scheduled for 1 1/2 hours for 2 quads. Some patients want to do 4 quads and we get 2 hours for that. We also do a 6 week tissue check after S/RP which is scheduled for a half hour to see if the tissues are healing well.

At my office we probe with plastic probes. We also clean around the implant with plastic hand instruments. The probe depth is important to keep track of to ensure the bone support stays healthy around the implant.