https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeoQO0RVGA8

Below, we’ve compiled the key points discussed in the Jameson Files Episode 138. To enjoy the full conversation with our very own Carrie Webber and Brett Wilson you can watch on YouTube or listen to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, or Spotify.

Carrie Webber:

Welcome to another episode of the Jameson Files. I'm your host, Carrie Webber. And I'm so glad that you're with us. The question before us is: how can we improve patient education and ultimately improve case and treatment acceptance? To discuss that with us, we have Brett Wilson, the president of Digital Doc LLC. The team behind Digital doc had been friends of the Jameson Family for many, many years. And so, Brett, thank you so much for joining me today!

Brett Wilson:

I’m looking forward to this.

How Photography Educates Patients and Increases Treatment Acceptance

Carrie Webber:

So for those of you that maybe aren't familiar with Digital Doc, it’s one of the premier companies in the camera space—intraoral cameras and so much incredible technology that you're using in your practices today. Digital Doc stands at the forefront of innovation and quality tools for the best treatment, education, diagnosis, and presentation for both you and your patients.

So today I want to talk with you, Brett, about the power of photography in dental practices. Yes, it's been around for a while now. It's no new thing. If I were to ask five doctors or five hygienists sitting at this table with me today, “How many of you have access to a camera?” they'd all probably raise their hand. But then if I’d ask, “How many of you are using them in all of your appointments?” or “How many of you are using the photographs you take in follow up appointments?” the hands start to drop. 

So what do you find when you're having conversations with practices, Brett? If they were to take a look at their utilization of photography and of their tools, where are they falling short? Where could they look to improve in the coming year?

How does your patient take in information?

Brett Wilson:

One area is looking at who is coming into my practice. I really like to refer to them as the consumer. Are we looking at our patient as a consumer? And if so, how do our consumers buy? How do our consumers live? 

We are all consumers. So how do we live? You know, what cell phone do we have? What size of television are we watching at home? Do those things matter? I believe they do. We live in an HD world today. No matter where you go, you're going to see a 55” screen. You can order from Starbucks, or you can go to a fast food restaurant. Wherever you are, it’s there.

Or take sports. We're all passionate about that. Some pro, some college. We're not going to watch a sporting event in standard definition today. So when we go into dental practices and we see the computer screen on the counter or no imaging at all in front of the patient, what does that say?

How many put a 55” or even a 65” screen on the wall in front of the patient and really connect with that consumer? We're not seeing that as much. And so I like to start there, just who are we really communicating with? I would argue we're dealing with the most sophisticated consumer today that we've ever had.

Carrie Webber:

That's such a great point! that I am 100% that. When we're talking with practices about their patient experience and their treatment presentations, we're trying to encourage them to shift their mindset from what they think patients need to look at it from the perspective of the patient. What do your patients want? How do they process information? The easier we make it for them to receive and process  information, the better it is for everyone. So, what are you finding that is really driving patient perceptions, Brett?

Brett Wilson:

So when we look at consumerism in general, we look at the studies done in marketing of how we connect with consumers and how we...