Master the Comprehensive Examination

There are so many dentists. How do you differentiate yourself from others?

Let me quote the Google reviews that I am most proud of:

• • My first visit consisted of the most comprehensive dental exam I have ever experienced.
  • The absolute best dental exam I’ve ever had in my life…!
  • The most comfortable and detailed dental visit I’ve ever had.
  • Very detailed exam, never had that extensive an exam.
  • The most thorough examination I have ever experienced.
  • His examination was thorough, gentle and informative.
  • … the most thorough exam I have ever had…
  • If you need a dental exam, this is the place! I just experienced the most comprehensive exam I have ever received…cat scan, x-rays, mobility tests, gum recession measurement, mouth ph test…you name it, they did it! And the price was very reasonable!

So, what differentiates us as professionals? It’s not what we do. It’s how we think. And our thinking is expressed in our comprehensive examination of the patient.

Every exam in our practice includes an FMX, a CT scan, and photos taken by the assistant before I enter the operatory. The assistant goes over her observations with the patient and then briefs me about the patient’s chief concerns and her findings on the x-rays. That’s how the assistant learns and how the assistant can be a valuable resource to the patient.

Then I enter the operatory. How long does my examination take? Including conversation, it takes less than 30 minutes for most patients.

Here are some inexpensive tools that differentiate us from nearly everyone else.

• • pH paper to determine salivary pH. A low salivary pH is a risk factor for caries. You can find pH paper on Amazon.
  • Shim stock to find which teeth are in contact and which are not.
  • Light cervical traction is used in cases with headaches or a TMJ problem. You’ll be surprised at how often the neck influences the bite and how often a chiropractor or physical therapist can help the patient.
  • A phase-contrast microscope (which is not inexpensive but valuable) allows the periodontal patient to see the pathogenic bacterial plaque. That leads to, “I’d like to send a sample of that bacteria to a laboratory in Minnesota (OralDNA®) so that we can find out what that is.” No one refuses.

It is the examination that differentiates you from everyone else. Master the comprehensive examination. Then, differentiate the treatments that have to be done (infections) from the treatments that the patient may choose (elective treatment). We call them the “have to’s” and the “want-to’s.” Patients benefit from understanding that distinction.

Our comprehensive examination, including all X-rays, is $99.

Master the comprehensive examination. And watch your knowledge and satisfaction grow with your practice.

Dr. Lee Sheldon teaches treatment planning at no charge on his YouTube channel. Go to https://www.youtube.com/@leesheldon833.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Lee Sheldon DMD PA

Periodontist Dr. Lee Sheldon has provided comprehensive implant, periodontic and full-mouth rehabilitation dental services to area residents for over 30 years. Dr. Lee Sheldon received his DMD from the renowned Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He then earned his certificate as a specialist in periodontics from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. His additional training includes a dental general practice residency as a Captain at Fort Sill, OK. He served as a dental officer at the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. His advanced dental education also encompasses many formal programs in dental implants, reconstructive dentistry and cosmetics including extended training at the Medical College of Georgia.

He was the Chairman of the dental department at Holmes Regional Medical Center. He has chaired the Brevard Study Club since 1995, bringing dental continuing education to Brevard County dentists. As an associate clinical professor in the University of Florida College of Dentistry’s graduate department of periodontology for over eight years, he helped train periodontists of the future. He, along with our office manager, Danyel Salmela, are founders of the Institute for Dental Specialists. They have lectured at national and regional periodontal meetings in nearly every area of the U.S.A.

Dr. Sheldon was the first dentist from central Florida to use computer-guided surgery for implant placement. He was also the first to use the dental endoscope to assist in the effective nonsurgical treatment of gum disease. These innovations have led to the Solid Bite concept, providing beautiful, functional and efficient dental restorations.

As an author, Dr Sheldon has answered questions such as “Do you feel that there are no dental answers for you?” "The Ultimate Mouth Manual,"is authored by Drs. Sheldon, Sheldon, and Furtado and the book available in book stores, which contains information patients need to make dental decisions in the 21st century!

Dr. Sheldon is also a regular contributor to the column, “Focus on Seniors,” in the Senior Scene Magazine. His topics range from dental care to overall health care. He is also a regular panelist on the Focus on Seniors programs on radio and television, as well as a sought-after speaker on health care and nutritional topics.

Latest posts by Lee Sheldon DMD PA (see all)

• Master the Comprehensive Examination - May 10, 2024
• Nobody Has Ever Done that Before - May 26, 2023
• Words of Wisdom from Lee Sheldon DDS - March 4, 2022