PATIENT EDUCATION

But it doesn’t matter how much I (or my Mom) believes in the technique if my patients do not. Overcoming their initial reluctance – both due to the novelty of the technique and the additional cost, which is often not fully covered by insurance – is a critical step for the hygienist who wants to use the laser.

In the beginning, I was afraid my patients would think I was trying to overcharge them by recommending a more expensive treatment. But in examining my values, I knew I couldn’t compromise the care they needed just because they claimed not to be able to afford it. I made up my mind to stick to the most effective treatment plan and to let the patient make the final decision.

One lesson I learned was to keep my explanations simple. Now I merely inform them I can’t let their care slide and that they must be a part of the solution. We are a team, their job is excellent oral hygiene, and my job is creating the most effective plan for treatment and being their cheerleader. This has proven to be a successful formula, particularly after they have experienced a laser session or two, which actually acts as a motivational tool since they can immediately see and feel a difference.

“I never cared much about my teeth,” said one older gentleman, who had periodontal surgery in the past and was initially inclined to repeat it instead of having laser treatment. “I’d just brush them quickly like I had done all my life. I knew it wasn’t good enough. Now I can see what a difference this has made.”

This patient now says he feels better, smiles more and has gained some weight because chewing his food no longer causes him pain. In addition, as someone who had heart surgery previously, he has diminished the risky link between periodontal disease and heart disease.

LASERS ARE OUR FUTURE

In the end, use of the laser is a great way to provide customer satisfaction and to build your practice. When you can have a patient walk away pain free after a three-minute treatment for a canker sore, the laser sells itself. I believe people want the latest technology at an affordable price. What they discover is that with the laser helping to keep their disease under control and actually improve their situation, they may avoid the need for surgery or implants that would ultimately cost them more money and aggravation in the long run. In fact, many patients are even returning more frequently and requesting biostimulation with regular cleanings because it reduces the tenderness of the tissue afterward.

Using the laser, I feel like I’m on the cutting edge of dental hygiene care. It has allowed me to build my confidence and experience a new focus. By embracing this new technique, my career and my patient satisfaction have both been enhanced. As an added bonus, I no longer have to work so hard on my recare patients because they have less deposit and their tissue is healthier.

I have a passion for the laser and what it can do. I believe laser therapy can have the same impact – at least the beneficial aspect – that cell phones have had on our culture. People who don’t jump on board with this new technology may soon find themselves in the same boat as the person with a quarter looking for a phone booth.

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