Presenting Dental Treatment Options to Patients

Jim McKee, DDS, is a dentist in private practice. He’s also a Visiting Faculty member with Piper Education and Research Center, where he teaches on subjects such as occlusion and the clinical referral process. In this video clip, he discusses his approach to presenting treatment options to patients, and how that can translate to case acceptance.

Interview Transcript (slightly modified for readability)

“By the end of the initial consultation in the beginning of the clinical exam, I really have an idea of what the patient values and how I’m going to fit into what treatment they’re going to need. And I’ll have an idea of how to present that treatment as well. I’m going to learn if a case needs to be phased. I’ll learn if it’s ready for full case acceptance. So many times, I think dentists present treatment plans that are technically correct, but the reality is it doesn’t either fit the patient’s time constraints, financial constraints, or the patients simply don’t understand the treatment. It gives me an idea of how to present to patients in a way that I can present at their level and then help them move toward the best dental health they can.”