Many dental practices inadvertently fall into the “prophy palace” mindset—focusing heavily on routine cleanings while overlooking the broader opportunities for comprehensive periodontal care. While prophies are important, they often leave untapped potential on the table for both patient health and practice profitability. So, what’s holding your practice back from becoming a true perio powerhouse?
Why It’s Time to Rethink “Just a Cleaning”
When a hygiene department is focused solely on routine cleanings, critical aspects of patient care can be missed. Periodontal disease is one of the most common oral health conditions, yet it’s often underdiagnosed or undertreated. Patients may not fully understand the importance of addressing their gum health, especially if it’s never been a priority in their past dental experiences.
By pivoting from a prophy-focused model to a periodontal health-centered approach, your practice can:
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Deliver better long-term outcomes for patients.
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Build stronger patient trust and loyalty.
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Increase case acceptance for essential treatments.
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Unlock new revenue streams that benefit both the practice and the team.
Understanding the Barriers
If transforming your hygiene department into a perio powerhouse sounds daunting, you’re not alone. Many practices face common barriers, such as:
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Lack of Training: Hygienists may not feel confident diagnosing or explaining periodontal issues to patients.
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Patient Hesitation: Patients may resist treatment due to cost, fear, or lack of understanding about its importance.
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Disjointed Communication: Without clear collaboration between dentists and hygienists, key opportunities for perio care can slip through the cracks.
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Inefficient Systems: When schedules, tools, or workflows aren’t optimized, diagnosing and delivering perio care can feel like an uphill battle.