How’s your New Year’s Resolution going? Is it getting harder to keep? Starting to slide just a little? Set aside completely ? Research has shown that only a tiny percentage of New Year’s Resolutions actually result in long term significant change. Why is it that genuine commitments to change behavior so often fall by the … Read More »
Why Don’t People Take Better Care of Themselves?
We see it every day, simple self-care options that could make a big difference in the lives our patients. Steps they could take to improve their health. Minor changes it seems they could incorporate easily into their lives. Why don’t they floss, or exercise, or eat better? Why don’t they take advantage of early intervention … Read More »
How Are You Feeding Your Team?
We had dinner with friends the other night at a favorite local restaurant. Courtney, our server, was thoughtful and enthusiastic in helping us select menu items to share at our table. At the end of the meal we complimented her on her service and her excellent suggestions. “They feed us well here,” she replied. “It’s … Read More »
Are You a Preacher, Prosecutor, or Politician?
I have been reading about the communication styles “Preacher, Prosecutor, and Politician” in Adam Grant’s book, “Think Again.” I quickly realized that I frequently observed those behaviors in discussions. It took me a little longer to realize that I had in fact exhibited all of those behaviors. In this sense Preacher, Prosecutor and Politician are … Read More »
What Are You Listening For?
We talk a lot in dentistry about what questions to ask our patients to help them move toward health. Whether interviewing a new patient, or reconnecting with an existing patient, everyone has their favorite questions. But as important as the questions are, our intention — what we are listening for — is far more important. We know … Read More »
“Just” a Checkup?
I was reading a Facebook thread about the current tension between dentists and hygienists, when I came to a comment that stopped me in my tracks. It was from a periodontist who also teaches in a hygiene school. He wondered, at the risk of being seen as “sacrilegious,” if hygiene exams were really necessary. I … Read More »
How Do You Earn the Right to Influence?
In a recent zoom meeting a friend raised a question about how quickly each of us would get the Corona vaccine if t became available. When I had time to reflect on the question I realized that the answer for me was that I would get it if my physician recommended it. Does that mean … Read More »
Health History . . . Routine Task or Unique Opportunity?
You already have new patients fill out a health history form, right? You review that form. That is the routine standard of care in dentistry. But is there more you can do with that “routine task?” Every communication offers an opportunity to help your patients see the value of health in their lives. With so … Read More »
Are You the Change Enforcer?
The question I most often hear when groups are inspired by the ideas generated in a workshop is, “How do we get people to implement the changes we agreed to?” It’s one thing for a group to be inspired by new learning, and another thing to integrate that learning into the day to day operations … Read More »
Do You Want Fries With That?
Ever find yourself feeling a little like a McDonald’s employee repeating the same things over, and over again to your patients? Any changes in your medical history? Any problems or concerns today? Are you ready to go forward with the next crown on your treatment plan? Same old questions, descriptions and explanations. It’s easy to … Read More »
