Certain patients simply won’t brush, floss or follow even the most basic home care instructions. While cases like these are challenging for your entire staff, a little extra compassion and understanding may have an impact.
- Help patients understand why it’s in their own best interest to practice good oral hygiene. One way to start the conversation is to mention news stories about recent research that link good systemic health to good oral health.
- Make sure that you and your team are caring but firm when giving instructions. Do more than simply suggest that patients floss; tell them to floss because they have chronic inflammation. Show them how to floss properly and consider asking patients to demonstrate flossing so staff can ensure they’re using the proper technique.
- Noncompliance should be documented in the patient record.