TTC_12_25_19_Vol.16-No9.p1-12
TTC_12_25_19_Vol.16-No9.p1-12.pdf
TTC_12_25_19_Vol.16-No9.p1-12.pdf
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Dec 25 - Dec 31, 2019 www.TheTownCommon.com Page 9
Health & Wellness
BY J. PETER ST. CLAIR, DMD
Last week I discussed the
importance of communication in any
relationship, specifically the healthcare
provider/patient relationship. Trust
is mutually built as this relationship
develops over time.
“There’s not enough time in the
day.” Have you ever used this excuse? I
said this yesterday to someone. We all
tend to waste a lot of time, or at least
don’t use the time we have as effectively
as we could. You would think that in
our technology-filled world, time
management would be easier. Some
of this technology actually gets in the
way by adding even more of a time
commitment to things that reduce
interpersonal communication.
Here’s an example. It’s time to buy
a new car. There are many different
car brands and within those brands
are many models. No matter what
dealership you go to, they will gather
a minute amount of information
about you, or maybe none at all, but
guaranteed, they have a car on their
showroom floor that they tell you is
Brighter Smiles...
PROVIDER RELATIONSHIPS – PART 2
the right car for you. They will spend
a countless amount of time talking
about the many new features that their
brand has, and the options between
different models. If the salesman
worked for a different brand, or if you
went to a different dealership, you
would hear the same reasons why that
brand is right for you. Their goal is to
sell you a car.
If you went into a dental office and
the dentist spent all their time talking
about their array of technological
gadgets and how they were right for
you, how would you feel? If you went
to a different office and that dentist
had a different set of gadgets, they
have a bias as to why theirs are right
for you. You would feel like you were
trying to be “sold” something.
Branding draws us in. You may
have a preconceived notion that a
particular make of car is what you
“need”, or see a dental advertisement
that attracts your attention.
It doesn’t take much to realize that
there are many different brands of
anything that would satisfy our needs.
Whether it is a car or teeth, there
are often gaps between the “seller” and
the “buyer”. There is a gap between
what we really need and what we
think we need. There is another gap
between what the dentist or salesman
thinks we need and what we think we
need. And, more specifically, there is
often a serious gap between the value
some dentists have, and the value they
feel they can discuss with patients.
Sometimes we feel we don’t have the
time to discuss these things, and other
times we are afraid we will scare you
away.
Dentistry offers people so much
that they want and need. Why don’t
people get it? What would permit
someone to have this resource
available, and fail to use it? What
would cause them to misunderstand it
so thoroughly that they fear it more
than they fear the consequences of not
collaborating with a dentist?
Dentists need to communicate
facts and truths. They need to
convey expertise and enthusiasm.
This goes back to the idea of time I
have mentioned so often in the past.
Dentists need to spend time with
patients, not hard-sell with little
information, and let the patient
decide what the best line of treatment
is for them.
Dr. St. Clair maintains a private
dental practice in Rowley and
Newburyport dedicated to healthcentered
family dentistry. If there are
certain topics you would like to see
written about or questions you have
please email them to him at jpstclair@
stclairdmd.com. You can view all
previously written columns at www.
jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.
Dr. Laura anne Potvin, P.C.
oPtoMetriStS
EYE CARE
FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!
Dr. DR. nYLa NYLA LAMBERT LaMBert
Dr. DR. KatHLeen SAMANTHA Horn MEIN
Dr. DR. CATHLEEN CatHLeen DOUCETTE DouCette
NOw LOCATED AT
939 SALEM ST., GROvELAND
978-374-8991
What does your
smile say about you?
Whether you are missing teeth or are unhappy with the
ones you have, it may be time to explore your options.
All Phases of Dental Care Including:
• Grinding/Clenching/TMJ Therapy
• Sleep Apnea/Snoring Treatment
Contact your advertising
Learn More: www.stclairdmd.com consultant today....
Please call our office to schedule
a comlimentary 30-minute consultation.
77 Wethersfield Street, Rowley, MA 01969
advertise@thetowncommon.com
151 Central Street, Rowley | 978-948-2030
978-948-8696
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