Solutions We Offer - "My Mouth Is A Mess!"

Michael Ling
Dec 15, 2021
4 min read

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

Patient screening and frequently asked questions for patients who have multiple broken, worn down, discoloured, or missing teeth. "Trainwreck mouths"

BEST CASE SCENARIO IF WE ARE ALL 100% CONFIDENT:

We sound like confident experts when patients ask about how to fix their smiles. We also get to help more people who didn’t even know they were candidates for a solution.

WORST CASE SCENARIO IF SOME OF US ARE NOT 100% CONFIDENT:

We don’t know how to answer basic questions and patients lose trust in us. They go to another dentist they don’t know we offer that service. Or they continue to suffer with their teeth, living with embarrassment and discomfort, and not being able to enjoy the foods they want, because nobody ever offered them a solution. How would you feel if you had a trainwreck mouth and your dentist assumed you couldn't afford to fix it so they never offered a solution?

WHAT DOES “100% CONFIDENT” MEAN?

You can identify patients who are good candidates, and you know how to find out if the patient is aware of their problem, and if they care about fixing it.
You can describe the solutions in plain English, including a comparison of cost.
You can describe what kind of patient would choose each solution.
You can answer the frequently asked questions.
You can teach someone else how to do it to the same standard, either from memory or using these notes as a cheat sheet.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?

Step 1: Are they AWARE of their problem?

What do you need help with?
What don't you like about your smile?
How long has it been this way?
What's the #1 thing you want to change?
What are you hoping for?
What changes are you trying to make?

Step 2: Do they CARE about fixing their problem?

How important is it for you to fix that?
Are you interested in learning more?
Have you ever talked to someone about fixing these problems before?
Are you hoping to see and feel a BIG difference? Or are you looking for a little tweak here and there?
Are there certain foods you can't eat?
Do you have any photos - recent ones or old ones - where you think your smile looks great?
What would it mean to you if you could fix your bite and smile to be exactly the way you want?
What has changed in your situation that is making you want to find a solution now?
What kinds of solutions have you tried in the past? Why do you think they haven't worked for you yet?

Step 3: We only discuss solutions to patients who are AWARE of their problem and CARE about fixing it.

DESCRIBE THE SOLUTIONS IN PLAIN ENGLISH

Solution #1: Fix

Fixing the problem means rebuilding the damage that has happened over time. We can "turn back the clock" on their bite and smile so they can eat, smile, and laugh like they used to.

Solution #2: Maintain

Maintaining the problem means helping the patient to slow down the damage that is occurring. We can "put them in a holding pattern" by fixing the really bad teeth, strengthening the weak ones, and then addressing risk factors like decay, perio, grinding to try to keep things stable.

Solution #3: Do Nothing

Doing nothing means staying on the path the patient is currently on. If something breaks or hurts, we fix it as needed. Their condition will likely continue to worsen, but some patients are just not ready to do something about it yet.

BALLPARK COMPARISON OF COSTS

"If you are hoping to see and feel a major difference compared to what you have now, you should budget in the tens of thousands of dollars. How many tens of thousands really depends on how bad your situation is now, and exactly how you want your teeth to look and feel when you're done.

If you are hoping for small to medium changes, you can expect to spend less than $10,000. Probably in the 5-10 thousand range."

WHAT KIND OF PATIENT WOULD CHOOSE EACH SOLUTION?

Patients rarely choose to do nothing about their problem, since they came to us for a solution.

If they can afford it, fixing the problem by rebuilding their bite and smile will make them happier in the long run.

If they are looking for minor tweaks and not a major overhaul, or if they are more concerned with preventing future problems than turning back the clock on their smile, then they might choose to maintain things instead of fixing them.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

None really - if the patient has questions, give them an info package and book consult.

WHAT IF:

1. The patient asks questions that you don’t know the answer to.

“That’s a great question. That's not really my area of expertise, but why don’t we set up a consultation with the doctor. I’ll make sure they get you an answer to all your questions and then you can decide what to do. Is Tuesday or Thursday better for you?”

2. The patient is mildly interested, but doesn’t really want to talk about it. Or you don’t have time to talk about it.

Send the patient home with some printed info. We have 1-page cheat sheets, as well as mini-books. And then tell FD to add them to our Google Sheet follow up list.

Here are some of the resources we have printed that can be given to patients