This past weekend here in Scottsdale I held a 2.5 day workshop for teams with my dear friends Mary Osborne and Joan Unterschuetz. Over a decade ago I first became aware of the concept of patient centered or relationship based dentistry. Having become disenchanted with the way I was practicing dentistry I was attracted to this model. A fundamental premise is to partner with our patients to help them make healthy choices. Out of this partnership we can find greater trust, appreciation and fulfillment professionally. These rewards come out of our ability to do more of the dentistry we love to do on patients who value and appreciate us and have chosen the care they are receiving. Mary and Joan have become two of my dearest friends over the years. Nationally renown educators and facilitators in their own right, there is a magic when we teach together that comes from our shared philosophy and caring. The next time we teach “They All Say Yes: A Team Approach To Patient Care” won’t be until April of next year. I thought between now and then I would try and share some of what has been magic learning for me, with you.
In this video Mary shares one of my all time favorite stories. I share this story when I teach and the fact that I can remember the first time I heard Mary present it and the visual captivated me around the possibility of a different way to practice. Enjoy!
For more information visit www.maryosborne.com. Mary’s programs and newsletters are an incredible resource.
Videography by Dr. Michael Melkers.
I feel like it’s too difficult to find a dentist that truly cares about you. Does it really need to be? I think it’s sad.
Lucas,
I would love to have more dentists and more dental offices understand and implement patient centered dentistry. I also know that relationship is about finding the right offcie whose philosophy and values matches yours as the patient, so we all have to do it in a way that fits for us.
Lee
Nice story by Mary…reminds me of a mantra…”With people, slow is fast, and fast is slow.”
By the way Lee—Lucas left a nice comment above with a link to his own website…there are plenty of dentists who really do care—patients only need to know how to find them. Usually not by following links on other’s blogs.
Oh my goodness, having a 3 year old myself I worry I appear this way to most. It’s only when looking at another parent with a young child that I want to yell “slow down”!!!
I strive to practice this way and I know most of my patients know how much I care. I hope to attract more of these patients in the future!