Presentation really matters

When you are talking with patients about treatment it is extremely useful to be able to show them examples of what you’re talking about.

For example, you can describe what a bridge is until you are blue in the face but it is nowhere near as effective as showing the patient a picture of before and after.

“Here, let me show you an example. This is a patient before and here is the same patient after.”

Of all the treatment explanation tools I’ve used over the years, before and after photos are the best by a long margin. They are so effective that there is not even a second place.

Brochures are nowhere near as good, nor are information sheets, models or typodonts.

Therefore it amazes me how few dentists use before and after photos.

If you are going to use before and after photos here are two simple tips:

1. Your own photos
   I know you can buy before and after photos but it is much more powerful if they are your own photos of work you have done.

2. Present the photos properly
   The lazy way to present is to have a folder of photos on your iPad. The “wow” way to present is to have photos beautifully printed in a professional photo album.

It takes effort to present photos properly but it is effort well spent.

The time, expense and effort you use to create a superb album of your own before and after photos will repay you many times over.