Patients may seem uninterested in their oral health, but the real issue may be that they have not been given a clear reason to participate in their care. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt speaks with Melissa Obrotka, a dental hygienist and oral-systemic health educator, about helping patients understand what is happening in their mouths and why it matters to their overall health.
You will learn how to create patient buy-in, use visual evidence and open-ended questions, calibrate your team, and transition from task-based hygiene to a healthcare-focused approach. To improve communication and help patients take action, listen to Episode 1065 of The Best Practices Show!
Main Takeaways:
- Dental professionals must help patients understand how oral inflammation and bacteria can affect systemic health.
- Team calibration requires dedicated non-patient time to establish shared clinical standards, protocols, and expectations.
- Disclosing biofilm gives patients visual evidence that helps them understand disease, inflammation, and areas of risk.
- Open-ended questions and motivational interviewing can uncover the fear or previous experiences behind patient resistance.
- Providers can challenge patients directly while acknowledging their choices and asking permission to explain clinical concerns.
- Hygienists earn healthcare-level compensation by consistently delivering comprehensive healthcare rather than limited task-based services.
- Dentists and hygienists should learn and implement an oral-systemic approach together so patients receive consistent care.
Snippets:
00:00 Intro
01:00 Why patients may appear not to care about their oral health.
02:20 Melissa’s background in dental hygiene and oral-systemic education.
03:45 The relationship between oral inflammation, bacteria, and systemic health.
06:05 How hygienists inherit task-based systems and schedules.
09:05 Why dental hygienists may be the most important healthcare providers patients see all year.
10:55 The need to schedule non-patient time for team calibration.
12:00 How disclosing biofilm creates patient buy-in.
13:45 Connecting periodontal charting, radiographs, bleeding, and visible bacteria.
16:00 The expanding research on oral and systemic health.
18:35 Using questions and motivational interviewing with resistant patients.
22:00 How to care deeply while challenging patients directly.
24:20 Melissa’s perspective on dental hygiene as a career.
28:45 Melissa’s courses at The Exchange.
31:10 Final thoughts on helping patients care and take action.
32:00 Why dentists and hygienists should attend training together.
Guest Bio/Guest Resources:
Melissa A Obrotka, BA, RDH, holds over 25 years of experience in the dental field and concentrated clinical experience with the dental implant patient population. Melissa’s core objectives for her patients in specialty perio/prosthodontics are focused on a “whole-listic” approach to dental prevention, disease remission, and therapies that encompass total body health and wellness. Her approach to patient care is focused on biofilm disruption strategies for periodontal and peri-implant health and longevity while providing healthcare advocacy to patients. In addition, Obrotka is a dental hygiene motivator, educator, podcast host, change agent, influencer, and industry thought leader.
Obrotka serves as a clinical adjunct professor at her alma mater, Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey, where she elevated clinical education by instructing students on the oral microbiome, biofilm disruption and introduced the Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) methodology. Obrotka was nationally recognized in 2016 as a Master Clinician for her outstanding clinical expertise. In 2017, Obrotka was named one of the “Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know’’ in the clinincal practice category by Dimensions of Dental Hygiene.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Mentioned Programs:
More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:
The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/
Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
Upcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/
Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/
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