Setting The Stage at Every Dental Visit

August 12, 2022 J. Michael Rogers, DDS

I have spent the last 27 years developing my abilities to restore patients to the dental health they desire. One of my favorite aspects of dentistry is creating a customized plan to help patients achieve their dental health goals, and I do this by hearing each patient’s story, so I not only see the care they need but know the person that needs it. I look forward to that challenge with every patient I see.

Let me share with you my routine for setting the stage at every dental visit for a successful interaction. As I come into the room, the patient is sitting up in the dental chair, and I sit down in front of them knee to knee. Then I say, “Tell me how you feel about today’s appointment,” or “Tell me what questions you have about what we are doing today.”

This does two things:

  1. It sets the stage for “I am here for you as your friend and doctor.”
  2. It prepares me to be present with them. I get to hear where they are before we start that appointment.

Once we establish what they are thinking and feeling, I ask their permission to lean back the chair. It signals that I am ready to initiate the procedure.

This routine gives them comfort, and when the procedure is done, I can sit them up and basically go through the same two questions: “How do you feel about today’s appointment? What questions do you have moving forward?”

Before and after every procedure, there is intentional time in which we are in relationship. I have found this to be very beneficial in how we move forward with patients. A very small amount of time and intention helps optimize each patient’s time with me, and I believe is a key to the success of my practice.

Related Course

E3: Restorative Integration of Form & Function

DATE: January 12 2025 @ 8:00 am - January 16 2025 @ 2:30 pm

Location: The Pankey Institute

CE HOURS: 41

Dentist Tuition: $ 7400

Single Occupancy with Ensuite Private Bath (per night): $ 345

THIS COURSE IS SOLD OUT Understanding that “form follows function” is critical for knowing how to blend what looks good with what predictably functions well. E3 is the phase of…

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About Author

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J. Michael Rogers, DDS

Dr. Mike Rogers is a graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry. He has spent the last 27 years developing his abilities to restore patients to the dental health they desire. That development includes continuing education exceeding 100+ hours a year, training through The Pankey Institute curriculum and one-on-one training with many of dentistry’s leaders. Dr. Rogers has served as an Assistant Clinical Professor in Restorative Sciences at Baylor College of Dentistry, received a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry and currently serves as Visiting Faculty at The Pankey Institute. He has been practicing for 27 years in Arlington, Texas.

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