Michael Sonick, DMD, is an internationally recognized authority in dental implantology and periodontology. A full-time practicing periodontist in Fairfield, Connecticut, since 1985, he is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, a diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantology, a fellow of the International Society of Periodontal Plastic Surgery, and a fellow of the International Team for Implantology. He serves on the editorial boards of Inside Dentistry, Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, and the Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, and is a frequent guest lecturer at New York University School of Dentistry and the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Sonick is the author of Treating People Not Patients: Transformational Insights on Hospitality and Human Connection and co-editor of the multi-language textbook Implant Site Development. He can be reached at mike@michaelsonick.com or through www.michaelsonick.com.
Q&A
Inside Dentistry (ID): What values are central to the way you approach periodontal care?
Michael Sonick, DMD (MS): At the core, it is about respect, trust, and responsibility. Every patient is placing an extraordinary level of trust in us—not just clinically, but emotionally. Our responsibility is to honor that trust by delivering care that is thoughtful, comprehensive, and personalized.
Excellence is non-negotiable, but it must be paired with empathy. Patients do not experience dentistry the way we do. They experience it through fear, hope, and uncertainty. If we can meet them where they are, listen deeply, and treat them as individuals rather than procedures, clinical outcomes improve. This is not simply a philosophical position—it is a clinical strategy. A patient who feels genuinely cared for is far more likely to comply with maintenance protocols, accept comprehensive treatment, and refer others. The relationship is the foundation of everything else.
Commitment to lifelong learning is equally foundational. Periodontology is constantly evolving, and those who remain curious and engaged will always be at the forefront. I have been practicing for over 40 years, and I still find myself learning something new at every course I attend or teach.
ID: Your book, Treating People Not Patients, has resonated widely beyond dentistry. How does that philosophy translate into concrete clinical and operational decisions?
Dr. Sonick: It changes everything. When you treat people—not patients—you move away from transactional dentistry and toward transformational care. Clinical decisions are no longer based solely on what can be done, but on what should be done for that individual at that moment in their life.
Consider a patient who presents with a failing dentition—generalized severe periodontitis, multiple hopeless teeth, and a history of dental neglect. The clinical pathway is rarely straightforward. Do you pursue aggressive periodontal therapy and attempt to retain compromised teeth? Do you proceed with full-arch implant rehabilitation? The answer depends not just on biology, but on the person: their psychological readiness, their financial situation, their life stage, and what they actually want for themselves. I have seen cases where the ideal clinical solution was not the right human solution, and vice versa. Getting that right requires listening—really listening—before you ever pick up an instrument. Operationally, this philosophy manifests in every touchpoint of practice. The environment, the language we use, the way we present treatment options, all of it reflects a commitment to making people feel seen, heard, and valued.
ID: What separates practices that achieve long-term success from those that simply survive?
Dr. Sonick: Early on, most practices focus on survival—filling the schedule and covering overhead. That is understandable. The turning point comes when the focus shifts from volume to vision.
Practices that succeed long-term invest in culture. They build strong referral relationships, create consistent patient experiences, and develop systems that support excellence rather than chaos. They understand that growth is not just about doing more; it is about doing better. A structured, stepwise approach to treatment—from examination and diagnosis through treatment planning, active therapy, and maintenance—creates the kind of reliability that patients and referring doctors’ trust. True profitability comes from alignment: clinical excellence, efficient systems, and a highly engaged team working toward a shared goal. Case acceptance is a major driver, and that is rooted in trust and communication, not pressure. When patients understand the value of what you are recommending—when they see the costs, risks, and benefits clearly laid out—they move forward. Reducing inefficiencies, minimizing complications, and creating a high-value experience all contribute more to profitability than simply increasing volume.
ID: Does the team play a role in delivering that level of care?
Dr. Sonick: The team is everything. You cannot deliver a high-level experience without a highly aligned, engaged team. In our practice, we talk about being “the gift.” Each person on the team has the opportunity to make someone’s day better, to reduce anxiety, to create a moment of genuine connection. That is not a soft concept; it is a clinical differentiator.
Alignment comes from shared values, clear communication, and an understanding of each person’s unique strengths. Our core values—health, integrity, servant-heartedness, teamwork, and education—are not just words on a wall. They are the criteria by which we hire, evaluate, and grow. When the team is empowered and connected to the mission, the entire practice elevates. I have seen this firsthand: the practices that struggle are almost always struggling with culture before they are struggling with production.
ID: Where do you see gaps in treatment planning today?
Dr. Sonick: One of the biggest gaps is the lack of comprehensive, interdisciplinary thinking. Too often, treatment is approached in isolation rather than as part of a broader plan that considers function, esthetics, and long-term stability. There is also a tendency to move too quickly toward definitive treatment without fully evaluating all options.
A common example: a patient presents with a missing maxillary lateral incisor. The referring dentist wants to place an implant immediately. But the adjacent teeth may need orthodontic repositioning first. The ridge may require augmentation. The soft tissue architecture may need to be developed before implant placement to achieve a natural-looking papilla. Skipping those steps may produce a result that is clinically acceptable but esthetically compromised—and that is a failure in the patient’s eyes even if it is a success by traditional metrics.
In our practice, we follow a structured sequence: examination, diagnosis, diagnostic workup, treatment planning with full presentation of patient options, followed by treatment in a logical order—elimination of active disease first, then functional rehabilitation, then esthetics, then maintenance. This sequence is not arbitrary. It reflects the biological reality that you cannot build on an unstable foundation. The most important appointment in the entire treatment arc is the initial examination—that first hour is where trust is built, the full picture is established, and the patient becomes a partner in their own care.
ID: How do you communicate the value of complex, costly treatment to patients who may be overwhelmed or skeptical?
Dr. Sonick: Transparency and education are the foundation. Patients are not just buying a procedure; they are investing in an outcome. When we take the time to explain the diagnosis, the options, and the long-term implications—including the costs, risks, and benefits of each pathway—patients can make genuinely informed decisions. I use a framework I call the cost-risk-benefit ratio. When patients can see this clearly, they are empowered rather than overwhelmed.
Visuals, radiographs, and clinical photographs are invaluable in this process. A patient who can see their own bone loss on a radiograph, or see a before-and-after of a case similar to their own, understands in a way that words alone cannot convey. But the most important factor is trust. If the relationship is strong, the conversation becomes much easier. If a patient believes that you are genuinely working in their best interest, they will follow your recommendations. That trust is built long before the treatment conversation—it is built in every interaction that preceded it.
ID: How have patient expectations evolved?
Dr. Sonick: Patients today are more informed—and more discerning—than ever before. Research shows that 77% of patients use online reviews as a first step when selecting a healthcare provider, and 80% trust those reviews as much as personal recommendations. They arrive at the first appointment having already formed an impression of your practice based on your website, your social media presence, and what others have said about you. They expect not only excellent clinical outcomes but also a seamless, personalized experience. Communication, convenience, and transparency are all critical. The practices that will thrive are those that go beyond excellence to create genuinely memorable experiences.
ID: What are the major clinical frontiers in periodontology over the next 5 to 10 years?
Dr. Sonick: Regenerative medicine is perhaps the most exciting frontier. We are moving steadily away from resective approaches and toward true regeneration.Digital workflows and artificial intelligence will also play an increasingly central role. AI-assisted diagnosis has the potential to identify periodontal disease earlier and more consistently than traditional clinical examination alone. These tools do not replace clinical judgment; they enhance it.
At the same time, I believe the human side of dentistry will become even more important as technology advances. The practices that thrive will be those that combine innovation with genuine human connection. The next generation of clinicians gives me great optimism. They are highly skilled, technologically savvy, and increasingly aware of the importance of balance and purpose. There is a growing emphasis on collaboration, mentorship, and holistic care. That combination of skill and mindset is very exciting.
ID: Is there anything you would like to add for clinicians who are looking to elevate their practice?
Dr. Sonick: At the end of the day, dentistry is about people. We have the privilege of impacting lives—not just through what we do clinically, but through how we make people feel. If we can keep that at the center of everything we do—if we can build practices grounded in clinical excellence, genuine human connection, and a commitment to continuous improvement—the rest tends to follow. Referrals do not come from patients; they come from people who believe in you. Be the gift.
Figures and Images
Michael Sonick, DMD
