The Diagnostic Trifecta

Education is an integral component of our profession, and we must remain up to date. It is important to practice "evidence-based dentistry," and it is through education that we are able to make clinical decisions that are based upon scientific evidence. If we practice anything less than evidence-based dentistry, we are doing our patients a disservice. In addition to educating ourselves, we must properly educate our patients. This should incorporate an understanding of "why." In the words of Simon Sinek, "Users don't buy what you do; users buy why you do it." Education allows us to understand "why" treatment is required and relay that to the patient.

In order to succeed in our world, effective communication is a must. Patient communication should begin by asking patients about their reasons for making an appointment, followed by if there is anything about their smiles that they would like to change. These two questions allow clinicians to gain insight into patients' personalities, thoughts, and desires. When we communicate with our patients, we must be passionate about what we do. Passion allows our education to be conveyed to patients in a way that results in a firm understanding of "why," empowering them to accept recommended treatments.

Finally, technology provides a powerful way to educate and communicate with patients. Technology affords us the ability to engage in "show and tell" with our patients, utilizing the data that we collect from their oral environments. Clinicians should keep in mind the "picture superiority effect." Those who have studied this phenomenon posit that patients will retain 65% of information when it is visually presented as opposed to only 10% when it is verbally presented. In other words, if you are not presenting with images, you are losing validity. In my practice, the technologies that are invaluable for diagnostic examinations and case presentation include digital radiography, photography, transillumination, and intraoral scanning.

Digital radiography has drastically decreased our patients' radiation exposure when compared with conventional means, and the crisp, enlarged images allow us to better diagnose, share, and communicate with them to reinforce our treatment choices.

Photography provides diagnostic images that can be instantly shared with patients as well as help us communicate with the laboratory and our dental colleagues. In addition, photographs help achieve proper restorative outcomes, and they can reduce our liability and improve case acceptance. In short, you must be taking photographs for every patient.

Transillumination devices, which illuminate the teeth with nonionizing radiation, are great for detecting caries and cracks and sharing the findings with patients. The images from these devices are intended to compliment, not replace, radiographs, but can be beneficial for patients who absolutely refuse radiographic exposure.

Intraoral scanning is the technology that has most drastically improved my diagnostic examinations and case presentations. With scanning, clinicians can capture the most accurate representation of a patient's entire dentition; virtually share concerns about issues such as alignment, occlusion, recession, and wear; and monitor the teeth over time.

Through proper education, communication, and technology, clinicians can master the diagnostic examination and achieve greater case acceptance.

Chad C. Duplantis, DDS, is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and maintains a private practice in Fort Worth, Texas.