I believe that dental schools intend to teach a comprehensive approach to patient care, but with board exams, residency applications, and all the other requirements dental students must manage, a genuine understanding of this approach is lost. A consistent sentiment I hear from dental students is that working in a corporate environment is their only real option to gain experience. Without effective mentorship, many new dentists struggle to take all aspects of diagnosis and treatment planning into account when they enter clinical practice. As a result, they are comfortable performing “single-tooth dentistry” and only feel confident taking a more comprehensive approach to dental care after pursuing a continuum of continuing education.
Patients seek our advice to restore a variety of dental conditions and often expect immediate solutions. They are often unaware of the severity of their dental conditions as they adapt to tooth-related changes from neglect, wear, or cumulative breakdown. Moreover, when patients are used to single-tooth dentistry, transitioning to a dentist who cares for patients comprehensively may be difficult. I often have patients referred to me from general dentists. It is very limiting when patients need significant dentistry but want to work around the one crown that was recently placed. Gone are the days of giving a patient a hand mirror, explaining why they should embark on a comprehensive plan, and expecting them to accept care recommendations immediately.
Many successful, professionally satisfied dentists treat their patients comprehensively. They allow the necessary amount of time for diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient education. Modern advancements have enabled us to do this efficiently; valuable tools that level-up clinical evaluations include extraoral and intraoral photography, periodontal diagnosis and charting systems, digital radiographs, CBCT, intraoral scanners, and sleep tests. These will help dentists to accurately diagnose dental maladies and identify the cause of the conditions they endeavor to manage.
This month’s issue is dedicated to comprehensive dentistry: the need for it, the related financial conversations, and how to get consistent results. Formulating a plan, creating value, care acceptance, creating predictable and consistent results, and superior maintenance programs all present challenges that we must successfully overcome. I hope this issue inspires dentists to slow down and provide patients with exceptional, personalized care that will make their practice attractive to exceptional team members and new patients alike.
Let’s make this a fabulous February,
Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD
Editor's note: The article appeared in the February 2025 print edition of Dental Economics magazine. Dentists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.
