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Practical Magic: Sometimes, Just Explaining What You Do At Home Does The Trick

Practical Magic: Sometimes, Just Explaining What You Do At Home Does The Trick
by Eileen Morrissey, RDH, MS

One of the best ways to get patients to do what you want them to do is to tell them what you do! This means being a role model and talking to them. Easy, right? It took me years to figure this out.

Take tooth brushing, for example. There are countless numbers of patients who sit in our chairs and present us with oral hygiene conditions that need improvement. They subscribe to the old adage, “Brush your teeth twice a day.” But many of them still skip the evening brushing. Since there is no ancient wisdom being generated about how long to brush teeth, most people go on automatic pilot and spend far less than the minimum two minutes. (I realize many dental hygienists teach effective duration, but I’m referring to the outside sources where folks acquire their general information.)

I noticed quite by accident that when I remarked to a few patients that I brush my teeth four times a day, they looked at me in sheer amazement. This was an absolute eye-opener for them. They were astounded. It was as if the thought had never occurred to them. Why? Because brushing once or twice a day was what they were always told, and therefore, what they always did.

My patients were fascinated and wanted to hear more. “Details, please, Eileen.” “Well, I brush them after I drink my morning coffee and eat my breakfast. I brush them after lunch before I return to my patients, or students if I’m at school. I generally get in a brushing sometime late in the day, depending on my social plans. And I always brush before I go to bed.” (Note: These are patients whom I have spoken with about how to improve the health of their mouths.)

I tell them I have been known to brush while driving, because a sink and water are not necessary. I either swallow my toothpaste, because I’m using only a minuscule amount, or I don’t use toothpaste at all.

By now, their eyes have widened and they appear close to fainting.

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