- 15%
“Measure what can be measured, and make measurable (visible) what cannot be.”
– Galileo Galilei, Universal Scholar, 1564-1641
1. Increases Treatment Acceptance Because It Makes the Invisible Visible:
Patients can be reluctant to accept treatment recommendations since periodontal disease progresses slowly and generally presents without symptoms or pain. Therefore, it is easy for them to postpone recommended therapy because the lack of symptoms removes the sense of urgency for them. OralFitnessCheck produces a visible, quantitative value, and this is a “game changer.” With OralFitnessCheck, clinicians can improve case acceptance and communication, motivate patients to improve their oral hygiene, while building confidence in the clinician to help them achieve a healthy lifestyle and dental well-being.
It is a significant advancement in dentistry as we move from subjective observational evaluation to objective numerical findings. In medicine and diabetes treatment, for example, patients can understand their HbA1c from a blood test (and what they need to take or do to stay healthy). Similarly, patients can better understand their oral status with information and a numerical value from a saliva test! The Oral Fitness Score facilitates patients’ acceptance and compliance with home care instructions because the numeric Oral Fitness Score verifies and enhances our recommendations. Also, they have a baseline or gauge to see how they progress over time, providing “intrinsic motivation.”
2. Point-of-Care (POC) Testing Benefits Appointment Making “Now:”
Patients receive the OralFitnessCheck result printout within 5 minutes at the same appointment as the analysis. Therefore, they are motivated to make their recommended therapy appointment because they can visualize their Oral Fitness Score. The literature shows that POC testing facilitated patient decision-making from 24 % to 85 % (Al Hayek et al. 2021). The OralFitnessCheck does not require a second visit, telephone call, or additional consultation to inform the patient of their results, saving practice time and costs, and has motivational benefits.
3. Increases Practice Growth from Existing Patients:
Experience shows improvement in the doctor/patient relationship because of the increased confidence that comes with bringing visibility to the status of the patient’s oral well-being. While much practice growth comes from new patients, improving patients’ acceptance of recommended treatment and the referrals that may come from existing patients is easier and more cost-effective. OralFitnessCheck identifies the unmet needs of our existing patients. Studies show that 40% of seemingly healthy patients require additional therapy once preclinical breakdown is identified. (van de Schoor, 2018).
Also, a key benefit of improving practice growth stems from the improved case acceptance and treatment adherence that OralFitnessCheck provides. “Better for Your Patients, Better for Your Practice!”
4. Strengthens Doctor-Patient Relationships:
Laurence et al. (Br J Gen Pract., 2010) stated, “Testing strengthened the relationship with the dentist and improved patient motivation to better manage their condition.”
5. Provides the Dental Hygienist with a Unique and Powerful Tool:
OralFitnessCheck provides patient motivation and an oral hygiene performance guide. Once patients understand their oral health more clearly through the numerical readout, they become more actively involved in their daily care. Importantly, they look forward to their next hygiene appointment to be re-tested to see if they are improving. They now have a visible, measurable goal and performance feedback mechanism.
Additionally, having a visible score (especially an elevated Oral Fitness Score), in combination with clinical findings, assists the hygienist in convincing the patient to shorten the interval between recare appointments, if needed.
