FYI

February is National Gum Disease Awareness Month. As a dentist, you’re on the frontlines when it comes to educating patients about the dangers of gum disease and treating those who have it. But you’re not alone! Here are some tips on how you can help your patients understand what gum disease is, how it can affect them and what they can do to prevent it.

1. Share videos, articles and more. These days, it’s easy to get your news and information from a variety of digital sources, and oral health information is no exception. The internet is full of videos, articles, presentations and more that can all be shared with your patients for free. For example, Delta Dental offers a wellness library full of information in an easy-to-understand format, including articles on gum disease, for your patients.

2. Offer gum disease screenings when patients come in for cleanings. Often, patients come in for a check-up knowing they need x-rays and a cleaning, but they may not realize they need to be screened for other conditions as well. You can mention the importance of gum disease screenings to patients who come in for check-ups, or even offer free screenings.

3. Reach patients outside of the office, too. Of course, offering gum disease screenings during cleanings doesn’t do any good for patients who aren’t due for a cleaning. If your office is on social media, you can post about National Gum Disease Awareness Month both to get the information about there and to increase your practice’s visibility with a trending topic. You can also inform your patients about Gum Disease Awareness Month through alternate means, such as your office email signatures, an announcement during any hold music you may have, messaging through your local community, and more.