How to handle a patient who knows more than you

It’s unavoidable. When facing a problem, more and more people turn to the Internet to come up with a solution. So when a new patient walks into your office, there’s a good chance he or she is coming armed with all the answers.

While this can be frustrating, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s great to see patients take an interest in their oral health and to do some research before their appointment. But all too often some of the information they have is incorrect and the treatment they have in mind is nowhere near what they really need.

Use this as an opportunity to educate these patients about what the real problem is and how you can fix it. Show them images and radiographs. These patients took the time to do their own research; they want to learn. You just have to make sure they’re getting the information they need to make the right decisions for their oral health. They’ll likely appreciate you taking the time to set them straight and because they’re educated, are more likely to say “yes” to the treatment they actually need.