5 classic case acceptance mistakes (Part 5)

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Written By Dr Mark Hassed

Watching dentists talk with patients about treatment there are a number of mistakes that I see made over and over again.

Mistake #5 — Jargon

 Have you ever been in a group of people where they started talking in a language you didn't understand? Not very nice was it? It made you feel alienated, didn't it?

That's what it's like when we use dental jargon in front of a patient. Words that are simple to us like "pulp", "tissues" and "caries" may have no meaning to a patient or even an entirely different meaning.To a patient, "tissues" come in a box.

They know that you're talking about them but they cannot understand what you mean — and they don't want to appear stupid — so they just shut down and with withdraw.

An ophthalmologist told me a while ago that I have "presbyopia". Not wanting to appear stupid I nodded and said "I suspected as much!" Why couldn't he have used a simple term I would understand (long-sighted).

So, rule #5 is: Speak in plain English. Never use any sort of technical jargon.SaveSave

Dr Mark Hassed

After 35 years in private practice and more than 20,000 crowns, Mark Hassed now helps dentists do what he spent decades figuring out himself — communicate better, work more efficiently and enjoy the job again. He teaches practical systems that increase case acceptance, reduce stress, and lift productivity across the whole team.

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5 classic case acceptance mistakes (Part 4)