For decades, the dental community has followed a simple rule: patients come in for

a cleaning, and we find work from there. But what if I told you that this

entire model is backward? In my practice, we’ve flipped the script, and the

results have been transformative for both my patients and my practice.

My Philosophy: Clinical Treatment First, Hygiene for Life

I believe the hygiene chair should be a place of celebration, not examination. It’s where

we maintain the health we’ve already achieved. That’s why I start every new

patient in the clinical chair. We perform a comprehensive diagnosis and

complete all necessary work first. My goal is simple: get you healthy, and keep

you healthy. A patient returning to my clinical chair after years in hygiene

isn’t a success—it’s a sign that we’ve failed somewhere along the way. I don’t

view hygiene as an annuity to generate more work; I see it as the key to

lifelong wellness.

The 5 Phases of True Comprehensive Care

To achieve this, I educate my patients on a five-phase journey to optimal oral health. This system ensures we are aligned on the goal from day one.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through why this counterintuitive approach to patient

flow leads to better long-term outcomes, greater patient commitment, and a more

fulfilling and efficient practice. Join me as we redefine what it means to

practice preventive dentistry.

Mentioned in this episode:

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