How orthodontists talk to patients about braces

Melih Motro DDS PhD
03 Dec 2021

This is the first in a series of newsletters about marketing orthodontics to your patients.

The orthodontic consultation is the most important part of orthodontic marketing. This is when you directly communicate with the patient, explain the problems, and discuss how you handle them. This is a two-way conversation. Before jumping ahead to the problems and solutions, we should take our time to understand the patient’s needs and awareness of the problems.

• Patients want clear answers. Use simple words when explaining the problems and solutions. Avoid dental jargon as much as possible as it will not help much and may confuse your patients.

• Highlight the good things about the patient’s oral health. Do not focus only on the problems. For instance, a patient might have crowded teeth but excellent hygiene. Discussing the positive and problematic sides will make the patient more comfortable. You don’t want a patient leaving without asking all the questions in their mind just because they see you as a distant person.

• Sell the long-term benefits. Many patients worry about the treatment length and cost. When discussing these, it is essential to explain the benefits of orthodontic treatment to the patient in the long term. Make it clear that what they gain in the end will be much more valuable than the time and money invested in the treatment.

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