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Help Patients Make Healthy Choices

Lifestyle

Presented by: Mary Osborne

Original Presentation Date: October 19, 2019

Take the Course This course is available for CE Credit as a "Members Only" benefit. Not a Member? CLICK HERE to learn more about AAOSH Membership.


Course Description: 

Patients come to us in various stages of awareness regarding their current conditions. Understanding leads to ownership, which leads to an interest in change. In dentistry, we have been known to give people solutions to problems they do not yet own. It is rarely effective. Instead of teaching and telling, we can learn to physically, mentally, and emotionally engage our patients. We can support them in accepting the loss of a measure of health and partner with them in creating a future of choice. In this program, participants will learn practical skills that are scientifically based and will inspire patients to move toward higher and higher levels of health.

Learning Objectives:

  • Assess and analyze the disparity between patients' expectations and the treatment options dentists can provide, aiming to bridge the gap effectively by critically evaluating both perspectives.
  • Develop strategic questioning techniques designed to navigate challenging scenarios with confidence and clarity, applying these strategies to effectively address difficult situations in patient interactions.
  • Implement strategies to establish enduring patient relationships focused on supporting healthy choices rather than enforcing compliance, fostering an environment conducive to sustained patient commitment to oral health.

Speaker Bio:

Mary Osborne has worked in dentistry for over forty years as a clinical hygienist and patient facilitator. She brings enthusiasm, intelligence, humor, and a deep commitment to personal and professional growth to her work. Mary is known internationally as a consultant, writer, and producer of programs for Mary H. Osborne Resources in Seattle. She has served as visiting faculty for the Pankey Institute, spoken extensively to national and international organizations, and her writing appears in national dental publications. Her programs are designed to challenge your thinking and provide real-world, practical ideas to enhance your communication in both your personal and professional life.