3 minute read
Let’s Talk About the Mouth-Body Connection®
from PDS Life Winter 2023
by PDS Health®
Discover how PDS clinical leaders introduce overall health into the oral health conversation with patients.
Including the Mouth-Body Connection (MBC) as part of the conversation when interacting with patients is essential in executing the Perfect Patient Experience. For many PDS-supported clinicians, the MBC serves as the foundation of care and helps simplify how they communicate with patients, resulting in increased case acceptance and a stronger clinical culture.
Introducing the MBC does not require much in the way of time or semantics. In fact, most patients seem to understand that the state and health of the oral cavity directly affects the health of their body. But for patients to fully embrace the MBC to act and accept treatment depends on how the clinician presents the topic.
“I begin the conversation with a comprehensive review of the patient’s medical and family history,” said Ashley Spooner, DDS, D. ABDSM, owner dentist of Falcon Park Dental Group (Office 517). “Each patient is treated individually and there is no one-size-fits-all treatment or conversation, but I’m clear with my patients that my treatment philosophy is to be preventive versus reactive.”
Multi-practice owner dentist Deepika Dhama, DDS, shares that you don’t have to be a physician to begin the conversation. “If you believe in it, the conversation will come naturally. The key is confidence and educating yourself about the MBC.”
“Repetition is also key as it allows patients to think, rethink and accept treatment,” added Sarah Oweis, DMD, owner dentist of Union Village Modern Dentistry (Office 324). “It’s important the entire team is on the same page about the MBC. If patients are hearing it from everyone in the office, they’re more likely to accept treatment.”
Multi-practice owner dentist Miran Ho, MS, DDS, believes patients see the urgency of controlling oral disease as a path towards better overall health. One way she introduces the oral-systemic link is through salivary diagnostics. “Salivary diagnostics serves as the gateway to quantifying periodontal disease. The results will give me an idea which bacteria play a role in their periodontal disease and how it affects systemic disease, allowing me to engage the patient and set goals for their oral health.”
When faced with objections, remembering to meet patients where they are helps. “Some patients may have a lot of obstacles to overcome before starting treatment. When that happens, I connect by using dialogue that touches on the true understanding of the consequences of their urgent problem to the mouth and body,” said multi-practice owner dentist Karim Zaklama, DDS. “If they express understanding of the consequences and intend to start treatment, the team will help the patient overcome any obstacles.”
Opportunities to make an impact on patients’ lives appear every day. For those who are looking to enhance their clinical culture by engaging patients with the MBC, the clinicians agreed it begins with education. “The journey begins with educating ourselves and educating patients. Attend webinars and CE courses, ask questions and empower yourself,” said Dr. Zaklama.
Dr. Dhama added, “Remind patients they have 32 teeth and while they may not be concerned about losing one tooth, they only have one heart, and they’ll do everything they can to save it. We can help make that difference.”
