First visit hygiene. Deadly!

Many patients when they first ring for an appointment say that they want a "check-up and a clean". Instantly giving in to that request can put a serious dent in your practice's success and productivity.

Prior to doing a comprehensive examination you have no idea at all about a patient's periodontal condition. It could be anything from healthy gums all the way to advanced periodontal disease or anything in between.

Obviously, if the gums are healthy and there is a bit of stain, then a quick 10-minute clean is appropriate. But if the patient has periodontal disease then multiple visits of meticulous scaling are the answer. A quick whip around with a cavitron is completely useless and inappropriate. It is a waste of time and the patients money.

So, the thing you should be aiming for and trying to steer the patient towards is this – examine and diagnose first, then do the "clean" in the appropriate way over the proper number of appointments.

Planning your periodontal treatment in this way lets you quote a sensible fee because after a comprehensive examination the patient understands the importance of the treatment and is aware of why several visits are necessary.

Do you do first visit "cleanings" in your practice?

If so, I suggest that you rethink and start doing "cleanings" as part of a treatment plan after proper diagnosis.

You'll be much more productive and also provide your patients with a higher quality of care.