AD. Every dentist will tell their patients what to do when it’s time to take care of their gums, but so much of what they say has an unfortunate habit of falling on deaf ears. One of the most common reasons for this is that patients have such a sense of relief from reaching the end of their appointment that they simply walk back out of the practice without a second thought. They will think that the stress is over for another 3 months and that they can check what the dentist said online later on.
In this quick guide, we want to change all that. We’re talking to patients here but also to dental practice managers who have a role to play that is often overlooked. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know.
[Photo by Romina Ahmadpour on Unsplash]
Brush morning and night
A fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush will make for the perfect pairing when you want to get down to business. Patients who are able to buy the brush and paste recommended by their dentist at reception will be far more likely to adopt good habits and achieve positive outcomes in terms of their oral health.
Floss every day
Plaque and food debris can build up along the top of the gum line far more easily than many of us care to realise. The problem here is that brushing alone will not solve the problem, and that’s why making flossing a daily habit you always stick to really matters. If you are a practice manager and are reading this on your break, consider investing in a regular supply of floss and then pushing it as a quick purchase every patient can make in the waiting room.
Cut out the sugar
You may not like to hear this if you have a sweet tooth, but all of that sugar is damaging the enamel on your teeth. Sugar works a little like a corrosive acid when it’s in the mouth, and that means it will start stripping off the outer layers much more quickly and effectively than you realise. Sugar is very potent when it comes to stripping tooth enamel and the best approach is always to eat or drink less of it. Poor hygiene on your teeth can quickly spread to the gums, making a reduced sugar diet an essential part of achieving good gum health.
Stop smoking
Smoking will significantly increase your chances of developing gum disease, inflammation, and poor blood flow to the gums. There are so many other health benefits of giving up smoking that we know you don’t need to be told twice. For practice managers looking to use this as a growth opportunity, consider selling quitting aids as part of a more holistic approach to oral health.
Use the right products
Using Dentomycin — a gentle dental gel that can help cure chronic adult periodontitis — will help to strengthen the tissue connections between your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Having a contact who is a national supplier of this type of gel will ensure that you never have to delay treatments or reduce the frequency of follow-ups due to shortages. If a patient wishes to use a simple product at home, having a reliable supply that you can offer for sale in the waiting room is a proven way to grow your practice.
Another example of how you could secure additional revenue while helping patients achieve better gum health outcomes is by recommending and selling a proven mouthwash. Every dentist will have a brand whose anti-bacterial formulation they favour over all others, so speak to the dentists at your practice to see what they recommend. Reminding patients that they can buy everything that has just been recommended to them at reception before they leave can make a real difference to patient retention rates.
What happens next?
If you are a patient, take a moment to familiarise yourself with the key points we have outlined above. If you’re a practice manager, consider moving to a single national supplier so that you can get all of the consumables you need. Doing so is a proven way to add another robust revenue stream to your business.
Having someone you can rely on will make sure that your practice is always operating at maximum efficiency so that you can deliver the best possible results for your patients. Do it on a consistent basis by partnering with an established specialist supplier and the whole community will be signing up to join your waiting list.
