"You Need to Floss More"

"You need to brush and floss more." These may be the most overused words in the hygiene language. If I were that patient, the voice in my head may say, "After all that poking and scraping with those sharp things, I don't need to do anything!" We wonder why our patient doesnÌt comply with our recommendations when there is no personalization in the self-care plan.

With the advances in dentistry today, not to mention the immeasurable number of studies available to us today, why is it that hygienists are so 'wrapped up' with patients and flossing. If a patient hasn't flossed in 30 years, chances are that they aren't going to comply now just because you've told them to. It is important to remember that there is more to removing plaque and bacteria than a soft bristled toothbrush angled at a 45-degree angle to the gum line.

If patient care is so patient specific then why is it that more hygienists don't customize self-care goals with their patients? The use of a 2-toned disclosing solution seems to have surprised and motivated even the most particular of brushers.

If patients are not a part of their self-care plan then you might as well be talking to your cuspidor. Reinforce the positive areas and ask a patient if you may support them in showing them alternate ways to manage their more difficult areas.

We are often asked how to communicate self-care coaching and behavior modification; the words are not as important as how it is we treat our patients. Consider this, how would you, as an adult, like to be coached and supported with modifications to something that you have been doing for decades and likely thought you were doing quite well? Treat your patients with the same integrity and respect that you would expect from others.