Health Care in Today’s World: How to Get a Good Outcome

It’s often said that healthcare providers are the worst at taking care of themselves. This is true. Back when I was in school to become a dentist, I didn’t get a single dental cleaning for 4 years, so I get it. I won’t judge you for being late for a cleaning. Life gets in the way. It is difficult to fit our healthcare decisions into our busy lives.

I had high blood pressure during those dental school years and was looking into every solution besides medication to address it. It turns out finally getting some sleep fixed my high blood pressure.
Now that I am a patient (chronically tight hips, going to the pediatrician as a father), I’m really understanding what it feels like to be on the other side of patient care. Here are a couple things that might help you:

You are more in charge of your health than your doctor.

In about an hour, I can completely change the way someone smiles for the rest of their life. It’s fun stuff. However, with all the power I have, the outcome will still depend more on what patients do when they go home. I will see you usually once every 4-6 months. You can take care of your own teeth every day two times a day. You will have a bigger effect on your teeth than me long term. This is why for all my patients we make sure that we give you strategies to help you out at home. Some simple suggestions can make your life much easier and hopefully save you from a painful, emergency visit to your dentist.

The earlier I go the more in charge I am.

As a provider, it is much easier to fix a 2-year problem than a 10-year problem. More importantly, we are more successful when we treat a 2-year problem than a 10 year problem. Right now, my hips do not require surgery but if I continue to wait, I’m probably going to need it down the road. I have the power to do something about it. However, if I wait surgery will be the only option.

The internet can confuse you. Consult your doctor.

My wife and I spent a lot of time on the internet figuring out what to do with our kiddo. Some of the advice is great! Some of it is extremely strange. Our pediatrician helps us decipher through this. Good, modern doctors are aware of what is being said about their profession. If you read something on the internet and want to explore it, find a doctor that will listen to you! I personally have implemented things that my patients have told me about. In the modern age, I think this is a requirement!