Enjoy Your Smile--- Everyday!

When was the last time you listened to someone… or were listened to by someone who really mattered?

As humans, we’re all-too-accustomed to filling the air with something, anything. We talk. We whistle. We sing. We hum. We do everything in our power not to listen to the world around us!

Let’s put it this way – isn’t it frustrating when you’re talking with someone and you just know that they’re not paying attention? They’re either a) thinking about what they want to say; b) thinking about nothing; c) thinking about something other than what you’re saying; or d) all of the above. It’s maddening!

And it’s too bad, because what patients deserve from dentists and hygienists, especially those who perform cosmetic procedures, are professionals who can freely open their ears and really hear what’s being said.

I really believe that plenty of dentists and doctors get bad raps because they don’t take a minute or two to really listen to what their clients are saying. That’s a shame!

In my practice, I constantly tell myself I’m not going to spend my time yakking about what I want my patients to do. Instead, I listen to what they tell me, and from there we can build a meaningful, trusting relationship based on a conversation, not a soliloquy. By deliberately keeping my ears open to the true wants and needs of my customers, I have been fortunate to foster partnerships that I know will last.

The next time you hear something and it’s the sound of your own voice, consider that it might be worthwhile to wrap up your thoughts and give someone else the opportunity to be heard.


Dr. J