How Are We Talking About Toothpaste to Patients?
A few days ago (before everything stopped!), I dropped by my local pharmacy and strolled down the oral hygiene aisle. Now, being a dental hygienist, I feel like I know quite a bit about all the products that are lining the shelves. But, as I walked down, there was a customer picking up a box of toothpaste, spinning it around, putting it down, then went to the next product. Seeing her thumb through each item highlighted how confusing this aisle probably is to most patients and how we can be a source of credible information for them. It’s easy for me to rattle off oral hygiene instructions in my operatory, but putting myself in the store where the patients make the ultimate decision put everything into perspective.
So- what are we telling patients when are they in our operatory chairs? Are we creating meaningful conversations that they can take with them into the store? Are we recommending products that are easy to find and easy to remember? What are things you want to point out to patients so they can make the transition to purchase the best product for them? Here are a few things I like to chat about with patients to tailor product recommendations:
Ingredients: When talking about toothpaste, it’s all about the active ingredient. Point how important having fluoride in a paste and educate your patient to actually read the labels of brand they’re looking at. Like Crest Gum Dexofiy or Crest Gum and Sensitivity, I always recommend a stannous fluoride.
Cost: Of course, cost is a factor. You’ll need to look at the patient population you have and what they can afford at their time in life. Do you work with lots of college students, who may not have a lot of extra income and not be able to purchase an electric toothbrush, or work in a more middle class area?
Location: What stores are close to your office? Is there a big box retailer across the street that only carries a certain brand of toothpaste or toothbrush? Take a second during a lunch break and check out what products are offered at the stores close to you, so you can make practical recommendations to your patients.
We can educate all day to our patients about their needs to improve their oral health, but if we aren’t making it accessible to them, it is even that effective?
What do you do in your office to help patients improve their oral and overall health?
A huge thank you to Crest/Oral B for sponsoring this post! We have loved working with this amazing brand who focus on being #hygienistproud and supporting dental hygienist’s missions.
