How do you perform examinations?

 Our study club just watched a lecture on how he does examinations of his patients..It makes alot of sense. 'First he goes over problems he sees and gives a tour of the mouth to his patient. Then he explains what could happen if the problems are not addressed. Only after this initial tour does he go over possible treatment options. 

I use a similar approach with my patients. I find that this allows patients to better understand their problems and why I recommend specific treatments. Also the last part of the exam is the cost of various treatment options as well as the pros and cons of each choice.

I find that hearing about cost of treatments , especially if given at an earlier point of the exam can keep my patient from "hearing" my explanations, since once they hear the cost they can fixate on picking an inferior but less costly treatment plan. After all, who wants to spend thousands of dollars completing their treatment. This is especially true if they don't understand the ramifications of choosing their least expensive treatment option. Often I explain that I would probably choose a specific option for one of my own family and this can help my patient understand which plan is most ideal.

Of course finances do play a role in choosing which treatment plan is best for a patient , but I would like my patient to make a truly informed decision, not just solely based on cost. If they opt for the least expensive option they will understand any limitations and risks associated with this most affordable treatment plan.