Over the years I can’t help but notice the number of nutty patients out there … and I must admit I m one, always challenging the medics but my approach is one from evidence based research challenging the NHS and receiving the comment ‘you don’t fit our typical patient ‘...FFS....
So, what I m on about .. those crazy folk… “ooh it doesn’t feel right” ...“it just doesn’t look right”… oh, can you be more specific? .. “no, not really “ ….. or they go the opposite way .. “when I take a photo at this angle and zoom in I think it could do with another 4 degrees of rotation”.
So who’s to blame? .. technology and social media ? Aesthetic is being replaced with Cosmetic … blindingly obvious chichlet chompers ...
Or is it us… may be we should become comfortable and familiar with the instant ‘NO’ in reply, as opposed to being too quick “Oh may be” (as we live in fear of GDC who always seem to put the patient first and are always right).
So how do we get the pendulum to swing back .. well, not sure we can .. its gone to far ... but we can show you how to identify said fruit cakes and make a rapid exit. Tactical Questioning may seem a little strong but thats what we need… as when things turn sour your on your own… forget the authorities/law coming to help.
So learn 'how to read' patients.... what question's to ask.... how to read their body language ..... and what to do if things turn sour (and not accept wha the defence unions say which is usually carry on treating them, no thats simply not acceptable)
Stay strong,
Hutch
PS I was up North and saw an advert for a practice who use those INcredible aligners….’it won’t align your teeth perfectly” ….. now thats managing expectations right from the start!!! …and yes, its a huge successful practice yet they have endless patients who want non perfect teeth.... may be its time to move ?
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