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 to prevent disease from taking hold?
It’s complicatedIt is easy for all of us who work in dentistry to tell patients why we think they should proceed with treatment or home care recommendations. We regularly witness the consequences of ignoring breakdown. We want our patients to avoid discomfort and disfigurement. We also know well the connection between oral health and the health of the rest of their bodies. We see possibilities for how they can look and feel better.
It is not as easy for them.Telling people what they “should” do is clearly not enough. Even the best advice is not helpful if we haven’t asked for it, and it may even raise resistance. Pointing out problems we see is often not enough. Showing people what we think is possible may also fall on deaf ears.
How can we be more effective?
We often ask the question “Why don’t people take better care of themselves!?” from a place of judgement and frustration, but it really is a good question. What if we pondered that question with genuine curiosity? What if got curious about what patients aspire to in regard to their health? What they want to avoid? What price are they willing to pay to achieve their goals or avoid risks? What would allow them to care for themselves differently? Click here to learn about our “Team Approach to Whole Health Dentistry” Workshop.
What are Their Aspirations?
As clinicians we are trained to see a problem and offer a solution. It is natural for us to aspire to higher levels of health for our patients. They may not easily identify with our aspirations, but they often offer clues to us about their own aspirations which we can miss. Sometimes they joke about “a few extra pounds” or “not working out as often as I should.” Anyone on the team can pick up on those clues by simply taking them literally. We can gently as about how much they would like to weigh, or what concerns they have about their current weight, what they have done to try to lose some weight. Authentic interest and curiosity could help us learn something about both their motivation and their strategies. That knowledge can enable us to frame recommendations about dental care as well as their weight. Perhaps more important, it could help patients begin to become more clear about their own expectations and aspirations.
What Do They Want to Avoid?
As humans we make choices based on both what we want and what we do not want. It is helpful to know what patients may want to avoid. Let me be clear: I’m not suggesting scare tactics, as in “You’re going to lose your teeth if you don’t take better care of yourself!” Again, I believe patients give us broad clues about choices they are making in order to avoid negative outcomes. “I don’t want to lose my teeth,” is not an uncommon statement in a dental office. We tend to congratulate them on that intention, but if we stay curious about it there may be more to learn. I might want to ask what comes up for them when they think about losing their teeth. I could ask if their parents lost their teeth and what they observed about that. Or I might ask how they would feel about losing one tooth. My experience in those conversations is that I always gain new insights about the person and develop a deeper connection with them that can open the door to more significant conversations about their health.
What Price Are They Willing to Pay?
There is always a price to pay for what we aspire to and what we want to avoid. There’s a change we must make. A new behavior to incorporate. An old habit to drop. A financial cost. Or a re-commitment to what we have already begun. Determining the price we are willing to pay can take time and may change over time. Most of us have had our own experience of deciding on a new course of action regarding our health just to lose site of the goal, or forget about the fear, or decide it’s just too much work. That is the place where I believe we can provide our finest care.
I would often tell patients with perio problems that I know we can improve their condition with periodontal therapy and enhanced home care in a month or so. But the real value of our work comes in the longer term. I would share my experience that most people will become less motivated over time, and let them know that I want to be there for them when that time comes. I want to help them figure out not just what works clinically, but what strategies “work” for their life circumstances. I want to help them find the means and the motivation to give themselves the care they deserve.
Their Goals and Ours
As health professionals we have a bias toward health. We have chosen to work in a field that promotes health. But our goals for our patients may not be their goals. We must honor their freedom to choose and to trust that they can choose well. Our responsibility is to hold the possibility of a high level of physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual health for them, on their terms. Help them clarify their health goals. Help them avoid unexpected consequences of choices they make. Help them value whatever level of health they aspire to enough to pay the price. And compassionately support them when they falter in their journey toward health.
Health is complicated, but supporting people on their journey toward health is a worthy goal. Please join us for “A Team Approach to Whole Health Dentistry” to join with others who persue that worthy goal.
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