Does your ortho listen to you? Trade article planned

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#1 Post by **bbsadmin** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:20 am

I'm planning to write an article for an orthodontic trade journal based on last month's braces poll. In that poll, the majority of readers said that the one thing they want their ortho to give them is: time to listen to their concerns. I thought that was really interesting and a subject that orthos might find informative.

I would like to include some stories (both good and bad) about your experiences in this regard.

In this thread, please talk about some examples of how your orthodontist has gone out of his/her way to talk to you, explain things, put you at ease, or whatever. Likewise, if you have had a negative experience with your ortho NOT spending time and talking to you, write about that!

I won't mention the names of any orthos or people in this article. Responding to this thread implies permission to use your comments in the article. You will only be identified as "a reader of the Metal Mouth Message Board" in the article.

I hope to write the article in the next month or two, and submit it to a major orthodontic trade publication (which has published my articles in the past, so there's a good chance this one will get published, too).

Thanks,
Lynn

#2 Post by **ghostmyimag3** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:32 am

I was not referred to my orthodontist, i referred myself and I'm glad i chose a great one. My very first consultation i went to see about invisalign. I was not a candidate because of the severity of my overbite but he wanted to know what i was wanting exactly. So i explained I would like my teeth more rounded out and not so much in a triangle shape. He listened to exactly what I had to say and had me point out the areas i was most concerned with. After listening to what i had to say, he expressed some of his concerns and what he thought a better course of action would be.
I did not look into another orthodontist because he listened. However a co worker went to several orthodontist because of them not really caring what she wanted out having braces.

#3 Post by **science teacher** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:52 pm

I feel my ortho listens to me and respects my opinion. He is impressed that I know so much (thanks to this board) and considers my ideas.
He is the only ortho I consulted. He's young and seems to really know his stuff.

Kim

#4 Post by **gnashers87** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:47 pm

I get the impression that I am just a number to my ortho, he never explains anything and "It's hard to say" is the standard answer to any questions I have regarding my treatment. I also feel that he isn't really interested because he works for the NHS and therefore is not relying on me to pay his bills.

Although in his defense the NHS is so under-staffed that he probably doesn't have time to fully explain things as he has so many patients to see.

#5 Post by **Jillianleab** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:56 pm

My ortho is fantastic. The day I got braced I think he could tell I was a little unsure about things, so he introduced me to another adult patient who was there for an adjustment and showed me this persons original photos and current progress. At my most recent adjustment, he kept coming over to my chair as the tech was working on me telling funny stories, talking about currents events, etc. Eventhough it wasn't braces-related, it was nice to be treated like a person, not just a patient. He also answers my questions every time I have one, and even remembers things about my personal life (like what state my brother lives in!). He's got a big practice and the chairs are usually full when I go in, so I really appreciate that he takes time to treat me like a real person, not just a source of income!

#6 Post by **ishasha** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:07 pm

My ortho doesn't talk to me unless I ask him a question but he usually doesn't give me chance to ask questions.

My colleague recommended him though saying he is very experienced. So far I have been trusting my colleague. Maybe it's because I just started. There is nothing much to be done except changing a wire...

I do wish he could talk to me more and explain what his plan is ...

#7 Post by **newmetal** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:08 pm

My ortho does the adjustment and then tells me "your done"...at this point i jump in and ask him questions. Although, he answers them but he does this in a way which makes me feel like im now impeding on someone elses appointment.I suppose it would be easier if he asked me how it was going and asked me did i have any questions.

Newmetal

#8 Post by **NotBob1** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:50 pm

I picked my Orthodontist on my own. At the consultation I asked to know what was going to be put in my mouth before it went in. At first, she was a bit cold and told me that she did not have the time to "teach orthodontics to me". I never intended this, however, as it turns out, many Adult patients expect just this. I explained that I just did not want to be surprised by walking out of there one day wearing a headgear that was permanently installed. It was explained to me that the likelihood of any type of headgear was small and that this is more of a â€œScare tacticâ€

#9 Post by **overseasmel** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:57 pm

My ortho doesn't listen to me. He has a terrible bedside manner in general and I think in particular he doesn't understand any of the concerns of adult patients. I suspect he thinks I am vain- he tried to convince me out of ceramics on the top for a long time. I told him I acknowledged that the damon 3mx he wished to use were a superior technology, I had done my research, but that I was a very self-conscious person and wished to minimise the angst I anticipated feeling over the next 2 years. He pretty much just looked at me like I was daft..... (But his staff are fantastic and I was referred to him by people with excellent results, so I am enduring it).

#10 Post by **Chris** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:47 pm

One thing I would like to say is that adult orthodontic patients, in general, want more detailed information regarding their treatment. Children, on the other hand, just want to get out of the chair as soon as possible. In times past, most orthodontists had only younger patients and hence, they were use to the "in and out, no questions asked" type of patient. It may be they prefer that so that they can see more patients. If that is what they want then I hope that they put a sign on their door that says "no adult patients". I like it when the ortho takes the initiative to ask the adult patient, "do you have any questions?", or "do you have any concerns so far in your treatment?". Perhaps a longer appt is necessary so as to address any concerns. Also, tell me what things I can expect to happen before my next appt, that way I don't panic thinking that the treatment is going in the wrong direction. Unless of course, you like emergency appts to fill in more of your schedule.

Another concern we have is the work that is performed by the assistants. We understand that they have been trained in various aspects of treating patients, but it would be more re-assuring if you "checked" on your patients after they did their work. When you talk "ortho speak" to the assistants, we don't know what you are talking about and after they do this or that, sometimes questions come up. Yes, its all part of treating the adult patient.

#11 Post by **lisab** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:44 pm

I am very happy with my treatment so far. I have never felt that I am being hurried out after my adjustments, and my ortho has always answered any questions I have and goes out of his way to tell me what to expect, where I am in the treatment etc. I chose this practice because of my consultation wtih this ortho and his professionalism. By the time I started going for consultations, I had already decided that I wanted to go ahead with treatment and the only thing I needed to decide was who would be my orthodontist and what the treatment would be. I had a consultation with an orthodontist that was terrible...I would never have had treatment with him, as he seemed to think my questions were beneath him and palmed me off to his assistant. When you are paying $120 for a consultation, you expect to have a consultation with the specialist. I am so glad I went with my gut instinct. Any number of orthodonists could give me the result I want, but feeling well looked after and in good hands is equally important. I feel reassured at every adjustment, and couldn't be happier with my treatment.

#12 Post by **Lisa65** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 2:56 am

I found my ortho myself thanks to a leaflet at my dentist's surgery. He was the only one I consulted because I liked him and felt at ease with him at once. His staff are helpful, friendly and welcoming, and go out of their way to accommodate my work hours etc when scheduling my appointments.

He told me from the start that my treatment was quite complex and that he viewed me as a challenge. He was upfront about the different options I had regarding my treatment and the possible end results, and although his recommended option was the one I chose, I felt like I did have a choice and that he would respect my decision.

I've always (thanks to him) felt very involved in my treatment. Although I leave the final decisions up to him, I've always felt like he listens and values my opinions and pays attention to my concerns. He positively encourages me to ask questions and always answers them in full, so I never feel that I've been fobbed off or dismissed. In fact he said it's a refreshing change for him to have somebody who IS interested in their treatment and that I keep him on his toes!

On a couple of occasions I've had some problems with my treatment and he's assured me that nothing is impossible to work around and that we will get there in the end. He's rung me a couple of times when I've been having these setbacks to make sure everything is OK, and he's seen me as an emergency on 2 occasions in order to put things right.

Although my treatment is complicated I feel like he wants the best for me and that I'm not just a number, and that he really cares about his patients and their feelings, rather than just their teeth.

I have no complaints whatsoever about Dr G and would recommend him to anyone.

#13 Post by **Kodius Champion** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 6:56 am

I'm still a wee bit steamed over the time I told him I'd had some "serious movement" (well, it was to me!) and he laughed at me.

#14 Post by **ellebee** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:24 am

I will be going to my first adjustment on Monday and I plan to ask all the questions I should have asked before I started my treatment.

I want to know what movement I can expect to see first, what pressures are being applied and for what reason.

I don't know if my Ortho will explain this to me or become defensive or patronizing.

I'm going to approach it gingerly, as in, "hey, I'm really curious about the mechanics of this process. Can you please give me a simple explanation of what's going on in my mouth?"

Hope he responds positively. I'll let you know. (I posted separately today about my doubts and fears about my Ortho.)

Elle

#15 Post by **gunter8888** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 10:14 am

One of the things that impressed me about my ortho the first time I went for a consult was that I didn't feel like I was on an assembly line. His office was busy, but not hurried. Every little step; the pano x-ray, the measurements, everything was explained to me. He went over the treatment plan in great detail and in layman's terms. He didn't call my appliance by its technical name (Schwartz) he called it an expander and did his best to find a similar appliance to show me and described how mine would be difference from the one he had on hand. Then he sat chair side and repeatedly asked, "What other questions do you have?"

This week was another example of how great Dr. W is about taking time for his patients. I was in for what I thought would be the standard, monthly expander check. After doing a little checking he turned to the assistant and said, "Yeah, the bottoms are ready to be bracketed." Before she could respond I asked, "Today? Are you planning to do it today?" They looked at each other and said, "Sure, we can do it today if you like." I expected what I usually get from Drs and Dentists - "No, you'll have to see _____ at the front desk and make an appointment. This week was perfect for me because the rest of the month is going to be virtually impossible to get away from work.

We all appreciate being treated as fellow humans. Not patients. Not even customers because even with the money we spend aside, we are humans and we all love being treated with humanity.