For the older Dental Professionals

Question

Do you not get a kick out of the attitude change towards braces? I see all these posts from younger kids that "want" braces and have to smile. I remember twenty years ago, having to tell a teenager they needed braces was tantamount to telling them we were effectively going to ruin their lives. Tears, anger and resentment were all part of the package. Now the pendulum has swung the other way. You're the bad guy when you say they don't need braces. I see little brothers and sisters crying because they can't get braces like their older sibling. Thoughts? :-)

Answer 1

I know exactly what you're talking about! There is a teenage patient in my office whose 2 year old brother wants braces for Christmas! Although there are still a large amount of teens that don't want braces, they sure are thrilled with the results when we finish!

Yes, we do offer things like movie tickets and other prizes, but it isn't just about having straight teeth. What good are they if they're going to be stained or full of cavaties?  We only offer those things to patients with outstanding hygiene and who take care of their appliances. We have a very strong relationship with the general dentists in our surrounding areas and work as a team throughout each patients treatment. More kids are becoming responsible for their own treatment and you can definately tell the kids that want them vs. the ones that don't!!

Crazy enough, even with the economy in the state it's in, our office is busier now than it has ever been!  We've been seeing at least 15 new patients a week, just to get started in treatment!

Never underestimate the power of a smile!

Answer 2

Absolutely!!  Agree totally!!  

And I say how fortunate they are to have parents willing to take care, and do that for them.....if needed!

But, what riles me is that the kids do not take care of their oral hygiene....the ortho offices give movie tickets, play parks, tee shirts, and other type incentives to get the kids to come to appointments on time, and whatever....and then they end up with a mouth full of cavities and white spots....but the teeth are straight....!!:[

The maturity level needs to be factored into the braces equation...are they old enough to take care of their oral hygiene, with the braces too...???.

just some rambling.........