No one likes going to the dentist for major care. When you're already hurting and you know anything the dentist does is likely going to cause more pain, it only makes the situation worse. However, the top dentist Placentia California has to offer has some advice for dentists who have to deal with angry patients.
1. Your patients aren't really angry at you.
When you're tired and in pain, you're never exactly at your best. Taking it personally can only cause unnecessary friction between you and your patients and make it harder to get to the root of their problem.
2. Explain why the charges are as high as they are.
Getting a bill with no or inadequate explanation of the charges involved can cause anger and needless strife between dentists and patients. Going over the bill and explaining why you're charging X amount for a crown or filling is a good way to educate your patients about dental care. You can also use the high cost of getting major dental care as an argument for regular checkups, which will be less expensive in the long run. A top dentist Placentia California relies on notes that arguments such as "I just bought you a boat" generally come from people who don't understand why major oral care and surgery cost so much.
3. Maybe it really is you.
Your bedside manner has a direct affect on your patients. They don't know that you're having a bad day already, but they certainly know they are! Your patients aren't just coming to you to fix the problem; they also expect you to be understanding and sympathetic to their pain. Being needlessly abrupt, combative or brusque can leave your patients feeling worse and lead to an unnecessary confrontation. Avoid phrases like "If you'd just come in for regular exams, this probably wouldn't have been necessary!" which place the blame (rightly or otherwise) on the patient. They're feeling bad enough. Especially if you're already having a bad day, the worst thing you can do is take it out on your patients. One rude turn doesn't deserve another.
4. Make sure your staff is polite and professional at all times.
A rude office manager, hygienist or assistant can put you behind the eight-ball with your patients before you ever see them. For a regular checkup this may not be a big deal, but when you're dealing with a patient who needs major care the potential for a problem is magnified.
5. You can't always make things better, but it never hurts to try.
A top Colorado Springs dentist Dr. Gary Moore says:
Patients trust notes that trying to please everyone is a lot better from both a professional and a personal standpoint than being the dentist everyone dreads. While it doesn't always help to empathize with your patients and some people are just inherently rude and nasty by nature, people will usually remember if you tried to be understanding with them and apologize for their behavior later. Pointing out as gently as possible that you're human too can sometimes help avoid a situation before it gets started, and showing empathy will at least make you feel better, even if your patient doesn't appreciate your efforts.