Treatment Planning is the process of using critical thinking skills from the information taken in during the data collection phase of the hygiene appointment. You will then organize the pertinent patient data into a concise list of clinical situations.
These are discussed with the patient in a manner that will bring the patient into the treatment planning process. “Co-Diagnosis” = Patient and Clinician Decide.
Inspire interest from your patient about their total health. Involve your patient in the treatment planning process.
Five Star Tips
- Sit the patient up-right in the chair. Knee-to-knee and eye-to-eye
- Nix the word “find” Saying something to the patient like this: “Mr. Jones remember when we were taking the pictures inside your mouth and we saw those areas that are bleeding? (Continue conversation about what you “See” or “Saw”)
- Use pictures to explain the treatment and areas of the patients mouth to be treated (Use brochures, tooth models, typodont, posters, print their perio chart and highlight, etc.)
- Understand the various personality styles of people so you know how to speak at their level
- Recognize when you need to provide help to your patient so you can support them to ask the right questions
- Ask open-ended questions
- Be proactive and know ahead of time what type of objections your patient may have (most objections have to do with: time, money or fear)
- To overcome an objection talk about the benefits and value of completing treatment and this will be the opposite of their objection
- Be open to scheduling a consultation appointment to further discuss more complex treatment plans
- Role-play and practice treatment planning skills as a team
Are you doing all of these at this time?
What can you do to improve your treatment planning skills?
Grab the Free Resource Below to develop elegant communication with your patients. Click on the picture or Check Mark to Download this Free Resource Now.
Please comment below and let us know what you think of the video and tips.
Follow