I guess every profession has to deal with noncompliance by the people they serve. Physicians have patients who don’t take medic
ation as directed or don’t follow the prescribed low-fat, low-sodium diet. Accountants work with clients who fail to keep track of their expenses or don’t pay their quarterly taxes on time. Teachers are faced with students who don’t turn in their homework or don’t meet with the tutor who will make a difference in their final grade. But it seems to me that dentists face more noncompliance than most other professions. As patients, we don’t floss everyday (and will probably be less likely to with the recent news about flossing), we only brush for 30 seconds rather than the recommended 2 minutes twice a day, we miss appointments, and we don’t follow the recommended wear schedule for our ClearCorrect clear aligners.
Clear and engaging education is the best way to prevent noncompliance and it’s almost always the cure. When patients really and truly understand the importance of complying with dentist instructions and at the same time feel like part of the process, they are more likely to follow those instructions and end their treatment successfully.
ClearCorrect has some great information on this subject. You can read them here and here. You'll find some great tips and tricks that will help you help your patients meet their treatment goals.