Dental Tribune UK Edition, October 4-10, 2010, No.24 Vol.4

Encouraging patients to maintain regular examinations is a challenge for clinicians 23EducationOctober 4-10, 2010United Kingdom Edition T he state of the nation’s oral health is a concern for all those involved in the dental profession. Finding ways to improve the standard of oral hygiene regimes through new techniques, cleaning aids and initiatives, has played a role in raising awareness about the importance of brushing twice a day and cleaning interdentally, as well as regular visits to the dentist. Attracting patients Encouraging patients to main- tain a regular cycle of examina- tions is certainly a challenge for clinicians, especially in troubled economic times such as these. With the prospect of another shake-up in the contractual ar- rangement between PCTs and practice owners, developing ways of getting fee-paying pa- tients through the door might well make all the difference. For instance, one dentist in Manchester took the unor- thodox step of providing a taxi service to get patients to their appointments. As a result, they claimed to have generated a 30 per cent fall in missed appoint- ments, representing a signifi- cant saving for the practice, as well as ensuring patients got the check-ups vital for preventive dentistry. A good deal Patients appreciate a good deal, and so offering a package of both general and more special- ised dental care at a discounted rate, with a monthly ‘member- ship’ fee is another alternative. The patients feel encouraged to take full advantage of the treatments available, whilst the practice benefits from a regular source of income. Preventive dentistry is the current focus for Govern- ment initiatives. Getting pa- tients to take better care of their teeth is a challenge, but one which is made easier when the patient has a smile of which they can be proud. Offering a way to correct a pa- tient’s malocclusion that doesn’t involve fixed appliances is cer- tainly appealing for many pa- tients. This market does not have to be the sole preserve of ortho- dontic specialists. With the right system and training, clinicians in general practices can also of- fer their patients a solution to treat a range of malocclusions. An invisible solution Developed by experts in ortho- dontics, the Clearstep system offers a complete, ‘invisible’ orthodontic treatment method- ology for patients from the age of seven upwards. By adopting a hybrid approach, combin- ing clear positioners with tra- ditional mechanics, the once perceived limitations of such removable positioners has been overcome. As a result, clinicians can of- fer the best results at an attrac- tive price while keeping treat- ment times to a minimum. The benefits are not just subjective and abstract. Ac- cording to a recent study , both general dental practitioners and orthodontists rate the positive effect of orthodontic treatment on periodontal health as quite high. So clinicians have a way of helping to improve not only a patient’s smile, but also their dental health. It would seem that the over- riding influence in preventing gum disease would appear to be patient motivation and so the argument returns to the initial question: how to encourage pa- tients to visit their dentist regu- larly, and to maintain an effec- tive oral healthcare regime? Maintaining good results It stands to reason that a patient will be more inclined to keep their teeth in a better condition if they looked good in the first place. Moreover, if they have in- vested both time and financial resources into achieving their new and improved smile, they will be far more likely to want to maintain the positive results that have been achieved. Regular assessment appoint- ments form an integral part of the system. These not only give the opportunity for clinicians to assess the progress of the treatment, they also provide the chance to monitor more closely the overall oral health of the patient: an important aspect of preventative dentistry. One of the advantages of a removable appliance is that a normal cleaning rou- tine can be maintained, with the positioner removed to allow access for brush- ing and interdental cleaning. Looking after the oral health of our patients is at the heart of dentistry. With the Clearstep System, clinicians have access to an innovative system that tack- les a range of malocclusions in a way that allows patients to keep up their usual daily oral health- care routines with ease. DT Andrew McCance offers some advice on how to motivate patients to develop better oral health The heart of dentistry ‘The state of the nation’s oral health is a concern for those involved in the profession’ About the author Dr Andrew McCance Since qualify- ing in dentistry from Glasgow Univer- sity, Dr Andrew McCance has gained a wealth of experience in multi-dis- ciplinary practices. In the mid 1990s, Dr McCance began to develop the Clearstep brace, based on the demands of the 4,000 patients treated annually in his specialist practices. For more information, call the OPT Laboratory & Diagnostic Facility on 01342 337910, email info@clearstep.co.uk or visit www.clearstep.co.uk.