Orthotown December 2017 - 8

for a reasonable fee. If you feel like it's tough to take on a transfer
patient, put yourself in the patient's position!
My attitude has been to just suck it up and, hopefully, start the
next kid in the family! I've always tried to avoid a negative presentation.
Whenever possible I try to compliment the previous orthodontist,
validate his or her treatment and put the best spin on the situation.
Complimenting the patient goes a long way as well, whether it be on
tooth brushing, elastic wear or handling the transfer.
On the flip side, when I know my patients are transferring out,
I remind them to brush their teeth well. It's amazing how this little
task can totally influence the transfer patient exam.
It's also important to remember that these patients selected the
previous orthodontist, so they think he or she is the greatest. Who
are you to try to alter that opinion?
Some might worry about malpractice. Malpractice involves
damages, and unless you are confident that the patient has been
damaged, the chances of you being involved in a case are quite small.
A differing method or variation in a treatment plan is hardly reason
to claim malpractice. Covering your bases with time leaves the door
open for possible tooth removals and bracket changing.
What about second opinions? I've voiced my thoughts on those
in previous columns as well. Namely, assume every patient is getting
one or that you are the one. Have scripts prepared for your area that
take the competition's educational background and appliances into
account. Try to address each one of those issues in your exam and
explain to the family why you believe in what you are proposing.
When parents are in attendance, I almost always start my
discussion with, "As it says in my practice brochure, orthodontics
is, for the most part, an elective procedure." This sends the elephant
out of the room and allows you to speak to what the concern is or
what you feel is most important. You won't find yourself pitching
or selling orthodontic care. Rather, you will offer up all the benefits
of care and assure the parents that if treatment is not in their plans
right now, they are still loving and caring parents.
The benefits of being careful, considerate and thoughtful are
innumerous. Consider one of my recent patients, whom I wrote about
in a column several months ago. This 60-something-year-old male
felt ripped off after two years of going nowhere with aligner therapy
for a cross-bite, narrow smile and an entire arch of worn restorations.
After I proposed widening of the arch and a full reconstruction by
my dentist, who's a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic
Dentistry, the patient left disappointed and somewhat angry at his
previous dentist. I recently bumped into him at a Starbucks, where
he grinned with his new, porcelain, narrow smile and offered to buy
me a cup of coffee. I ordered a venti.
"How do you like them? They are A-1!" he proudly proclaimed.
"Great," I said.
Some patients will never learn or listen. On to the next one! ■
orthotown.com \\ DECEMBER 2017

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown December 2017
