Best Way to Recommend Implants in a Treatment Plan?

Last Updated: Mar 16, 2009

Anon. asks:
What is the best way to lead up to recommending dental implants in a treatment plan restoration? My office manager says that we should have all patients fill out a questionnaire where we ask specific questions. Then we can use the answers as background for presenting a case for recommending implants in the treatment plan. Is this a practical approach? Are there specific survey questions that we can incorporate into our package of intake paperwork that would give us some advantage in this area? Do any else of you use a questionnaire to get this kind of information?

2 Comments on Best Way to Recommend Implants in a Treatment Plan?

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Murry Shohat

03/16/2009

My illustrated consumer article on dental implants may help. It includes many questions that patients are encouraged to ask the dentist and oral surgeon. It would be ideal disclosure for treaters to pre-empt these questions by offering good answers as transparently as possible. My questions are based on the actual facts on the ground, as politicians like to say. This article is frequently updated, and a big update is coming soon. Read the current article here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/9943517/Dental-Implants

Paul

03/18/2009

Keep it simple. How do you present fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, etc.? Presenting implants should not be drastically different. I give them an implant to hold, give them a brief summary of the procedure and ask them if they have any questions. Most importantly, don't talk too much. Too much information leads to indecision. IMO, the patient wants to know 1. Does it hurt? 2. How much is it? 3. Does it last? and 4. How long does it take? Address these questions briefly and then leave it to the patient to make the decision or ask more questions. My .02.

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