Study Says: Dental Patients Prefer Preventive Dentistry and Non-Judgmental Dentists
Announcement posted by eDental Perth 21 May 2015
Preventative dentistry provider in Perth reveals why the “new school” model of dentistry has overtaken the “old school” approach.
Perth, WA, 21 May 2015 - eDental Perth has two dental centres in the Perth area. They pride themselves on an approach in which patients are educated instead of being judged. Their staff is caring, compassionate and professional in their interactions with patients. Their philosophy is to provide a customer service standard in which patients are treated like family.
Recently, they were reminded of a study conducted from May 2005-March 2006 that was finally published in 2012 in the February issue of the Dentistry Journal. The study was called, “Experiences of Dental Care: What do Patients Value?”
The Study: What Dental Patients Prefer in a Dentist
The study was derived from the dental records of 847 patients in 22 different dental offices in NSW. In addition, many of the patients were interviewed to assess the quality of their user experience. Patients were asked what they looked for in a dentist and asked to relate their level of satisfaction from their dentists.
The results were surprising to many. Dentists tend to be of two schools: old school and new school. Old school dentists drill, fill and remove teeth without bothering to communicate much in the way of prevention. They also tend to exhibit “victim blaming” as a behavioural trait, often belittling patients for their states of oral health.
New school dentists, on the other hand, tend to treat the patient as a whole person. They don’t judge or blame patients for cavities. Instead, they provide options and educate patients on good oral health habits. They use fillings and extractions as “last resort” treatments.
According to the study, every patient interviewed preferred “new school” dentists. Many complained about “drill and fill” dentistry, some going as far as to accuse old school dentists of neglecting to educate patients so they can make more money.
The other most common complaint was against dentists who judge and blame patients who have cavities or crooked teeth. The patients in the study all said they preferred to be treated with respect and educated in ways to prevent further deterioration of oral health without being “talked down to” or blamed.
eDental Perth: a “New School” Dentistry Provider
Dr Lisa Khokhlova is a dentist at eDental Perth, a provider of emergency, general and preventative dentistry in the Perth area. According to Dr Khokhlova,
“We have been at the forefront of ‘new school’ dentistry in Perth. In addition to practising ecologically friendly dentistry, we go out of our way to make our patients feel comfortable, like they are valued members of our family. We examine our patients and try to provide multiple options for treatment. While many dentists use drilling and filling as a default treatment, we present it as an option and recommend it only as a last resort.”
Dr Khokhlova concluded, “We know that people want to be treated kindly. We also know they want to keep their teeth as long as possible. We do our best to provide both of those outcomes for our patients.”
eDental Perth provides preventative dentistry, general dentistry and emergency dentistry in the Perth area. They are known for their compassionate, caring approach and for treating patients like family. To learn more about eDental Perth, call (08) 9361 1728 or visit their website: http://www.edentalperth.net.au/.
Recently, they were reminded of a study conducted from May 2005-March 2006 that was finally published in 2012 in the February issue of the Dentistry Journal. The study was called, “Experiences of Dental Care: What do Patients Value?”
The Study: What Dental Patients Prefer in a Dentist
The study was derived from the dental records of 847 patients in 22 different dental offices in NSW. In addition, many of the patients were interviewed to assess the quality of their user experience. Patients were asked what they looked for in a dentist and asked to relate their level of satisfaction from their dentists.
The results were surprising to many. Dentists tend to be of two schools: old school and new school. Old school dentists drill, fill and remove teeth without bothering to communicate much in the way of prevention. They also tend to exhibit “victim blaming” as a behavioural trait, often belittling patients for their states of oral health.
New school dentists, on the other hand, tend to treat the patient as a whole person. They don’t judge or blame patients for cavities. Instead, they provide options and educate patients on good oral health habits. They use fillings and extractions as “last resort” treatments.
According to the study, every patient interviewed preferred “new school” dentists. Many complained about “drill and fill” dentistry, some going as far as to accuse old school dentists of neglecting to educate patients so they can make more money.
The other most common complaint was against dentists who judge and blame patients who have cavities or crooked teeth. The patients in the study all said they preferred to be treated with respect and educated in ways to prevent further deterioration of oral health without being “talked down to” or blamed.
eDental Perth: a “New School” Dentistry Provider
Dr Lisa Khokhlova is a dentist at eDental Perth, a provider of emergency, general and preventative dentistry in the Perth area. According to Dr Khokhlova,
“We have been at the forefront of ‘new school’ dentistry in Perth. In addition to practising ecologically friendly dentistry, we go out of our way to make our patients feel comfortable, like they are valued members of our family. We examine our patients and try to provide multiple options for treatment. While many dentists use drilling and filling as a default treatment, we present it as an option and recommend it only as a last resort.”
Dr Khokhlova concluded, “We know that people want to be treated kindly. We also know they want to keep their teeth as long as possible. We do our best to provide both of those outcomes for our patients.”
eDental Perth provides preventative dentistry, general dentistry and emergency dentistry in the Perth area. They are known for their compassionate, caring approach and for treating patients like family. To learn more about eDental Perth, call (08) 9361 1728 or visit their website: http://www.edentalperth.net.au/.