There are some fundamentals to our approach of orthodontic care that you should know about and compare to other offices. These fundamentals make us uniquely positioned in the orthodontic market place and form the framework for the delivery of a superior product and service.
Informed Orthodontic Consumerism
It may surprise you to learn that there are enormous differences in orthodontic results and that “ straight teeth “are just the tip of the iceberg.” Where “straight teeth“ are positioned within the jaws can and do effect facial balance, the functionality of the bite and the long term stability of the result.
The problem is that many orthodontists develop a treatment philosophy and modality along a single and narrow line and then force the entire wide range of patient conditions into this modality. So, you may select an orthodontist based on certain criteria and not realized that you are also inadvertently selecting a treatment modality for which you have no understanding or intention of selecting.
By “informed orthodontic consumerism“, we mean that the patient (or parents) are informed about the issues and options so that they make treatment choices for themselves rather than having the doctor make them. Of course, the doctor will deliver advice and make recommendations, but only after you have the necessary information to process his advice for you or your child’s best interest.
Doing this in a way that is thorough but not overwhelming, complete but understandable and without bias or coercion requires a commitment to the patient and away from self that Dr. Gift and his staff bring to the office each and every day.
Customized And Personalized Care
It may also surprise you to know that many orthodontic offices are essentially “ factory assembly lines “ where they see so many patients that the doctor can only spend seconds with a patient. The actual treatment is provided by non-doctor assistants and the patients have little or almost no access to the doctor. In these offices, personalization is provided by game rooms, gadgets and a revolving army of newly trained employees.
In our office, the opposite rules:
- Dr. Gift sees each and every patient each and every visit and delivers the majority, and all of the crucial care himself.
- The staff are long time employees with up to 25 years experience where a working environment allows them to deliver genuine and caring attention to your every visit or call.
- Your treatment is customized to your needs and wishes on all levels. Very young patients, older patients, fearful patients, special need patients and each individual require care that is unique to their needs but which can only happen where enough time and attention is provided.
No matter how many technological advances are made, there will always remain an artistic element to orthodontic care. The “art“ of orthodontics can only be accomplished where there is sufficient interaction between the patient (parents) and the doctor and where the office policies are designed for success.
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Clinical/Technical Expertise
There
have been many technological advances in recent years in materials and
appliances that have made orthodontic treatment more comfortable, more
attractive, less expensive (relatively speaking) and less time
consuming. Also, advances in computer technology have made the process
more fun and more efficient. Unfortunately, these advances have not
necessarily translated into clinical result advancements for the
patient.
In fact, the opposite has occurred because all too
often, as a result of these changes, the clinician’s attention is
directed toward the business side of the “practice of orthodontics’
rather than the clinical side. And with the higher volume of patients
to handle, the treatment is increasingly delegated to the auxiliary
personnel while the doctor “manages” the operation. And for all of
this to happen, the delivery of the appliance systems have to be
simplified and automated so that less trained staff can handle it. All
too often, the result is a “size 8 shoe“ for everyone.
Our
office is different. The emphasis is on the clinical side of the
equation. We devote enough time and planning to provide truly
personalized and customized care of the highest quality available. The
results are what matter to us and the long term satisfaction of the
patient and parents.
Come and see the difference!
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