Just is just a word

How can we expect a patient to value our services if we do not?  Whether speaking to a patient on the phone or in person, you should never ask a patient if they “just need a cleaning,” or “just need a filling”.    When a patient short notice cancels, or no shows for hygiene, I often hear team members say “that’s ok, it was just your cleaning”. 

I once heard an assistant describe   Velscope screening as “just a light the Dr.  uses to see cancer” WOW…. There are several things that concern me about that phrase.   I think this team might need some training!

By using the word “just” its under-mines the importance of the patient’s dental health and urgency for treatment. If we want patients to value our services, we must not minimalize the perception of the doctor’s expertise, or the procedure time involved. Stressing the importance of the procedure will help reduce no shows or last minute cancellations.