One suggestion is to identify a common complaint and hold a series of in-office seminars to present the problem and explain how doctors, hygienists and patients can work together to keep them healthy.
Sjogrens Syndrome is a common complaint in my practice. I can see no better means of singing the praises of regular check ups than teaching a group about Sjogrens. A simple invitation for a one-hour gathering highlighting a few key symptoms such as dry mouth, sensitive teeth, frequent oral infections and a catchy title like Is your Mouth Like the Mojave Desert? It may be Sjogrens Syndrome; is a good start.
Invite the group to join you at the appointed time in the seating area of your office, but if you have a well-appointed staff/conference room, you can be sure that they will feel special, as if you had invited them into your inner sanctum. This creates an atmosphere of trust and invites loyalty from your existing patients. Feel free to have a few snacks and drinks, and have some common mouthwashes on hand as a good ice-breaker by asking those identified sufferers if they have tried mouthwash to alleviate the symptoms. It is a good idea to have one of your hygienist on hand, along with your appointment coordinator.
Plunge into the main causes for dry mouth, as occurring when the body mistakes the salivary glands for foreign intruders and attacks them. Use simple language reassuring them that occasionally, everyone's mouth feels dry like desert sand. Perhaps it was something they ate or a medication they took that caused saliva flow to diminish. However, this desert goes beyond occasional dryness. You can add statistical data by mentioning that there are four million Sjögren's Syndrome sufferers in the U.S. and that someone with Sjögren's Syndrome typically has the disease for six years before it is diagnosed because it mimics and co-exists with several other conditions.
Emphasizing the role of saliva as one of the most important fluids in the body because it acts as a protector from bacteria, yeasts and viruses, and presenting a simple chart listing how Sjogrens disguises as some of the most common conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus and the difficulty in diagnosing it appropriately because no two people have the same signs or symptoms is very impressive.
Your chart may look something like this:
- enlarged saliva glands
- thick, sticky saliva
- decreased ability to taste foods and smell
- difficulty chewing, swallowing and talking
- burning sensation in the mouth
- dry cough, nose and skin
- sore or cracked tongue
- extreme fatigue
- joint pain
- increase in cavities
- teeth are sensitive to hot, cold and sweets
- requent oral infections, like yeast (thrush)digestion problems
- difficulty tolerating dentures
Concluding that unfortunately there is no cure for Sjögren's Syndrome but that a dentist can usually detect early stages of Sjögren's Syndrome before they are aware of dryness in the mouth through regular check ups. This way a dentist can monitor their dental health as well as offer recommendations for things they can do at home to ease the desert sand discomfort, such as prescription medications in severe cases and new over-the-counter oral care products that might provide relief.Your punch line that “the desert is an interesting place to visit, but that they probably don't want to live there”; is a good reminder that if they have Sjögren's Syndrome, early intervention is crucial. Your staff is happily ready to make an appointment right now!
Finally, create an incentive for your patients to bring in their friends, and you have a loyal patient and new ones on the way!
This entry was written by Gerry J. Casazza, DMD, F.A.G.D.
Gerry has recently joined the e-dds team as the clinical consultant and practice management specialist. He has been practicing dentistry for over 20 years and has a thriving practice with 2 locations north of Boston. Email Gerry@e-dds.com
