Goran Iliev, RDH, of Superior Dental in Plantation, FL – A Dental Practice Hero in the Fight Against Periodontal Disease

Goran Iliev, RDH, of Superior Dental in Plantation, FL – A Dental Practice Hero in the Fight Against Periodontal Disease

Goran Iliev came to the United States in 1998 from Macedonia, where he was a licensed dentist. Goran has been a registered dental hygienist at Dental Care Alliance for almost 20 years—a role that he cherishes. Goran has been married to Gabriela for 23 years and they have two children in college. He enjoys spending his time off with family and friends, taking walks on the weekends, playing recreational tennis, cooking gourmet food, and playing guitar.

Q: Why do you believe it's important to proactively diagnose periodontal disease?

A: Basically, periodontal disease effects about 70% to 75% of the population. Three of four people have some stage of periodontal disease. So, it is crucial to be treated properly and have a good result.

Q: How do you diagnose periodontal disease for your patients? Do you have a protocol for diagnosing periodontal disease and speaking to patients about it?

A: We have a protocol regarding how we should approach and treat the disease in stages. When I talk to patients about it, I try to use very simple language and common words so they understand that the disease affects the gums, and that it also effects the teeth and the bone that’s around the teeth. So, it’s a very complex disease, and we should treat all three of those things together. Of course, periodontal disease has been shown to increase the risk of many systemic diseases.

If a patient comes in for the first time, I use images taken with the intraoral camera as well as x-rays. I let them see the level of the bone and any visible tartar on the x-ray. Then I explain how we treat the disease. And I don’t forget to mention that if it’s not treated properly, they may lose their teeth. Nobody wants to lose their teeth.

Q: What obstacles do you face in getting patients to accept treatment and how do you overcome those obstacles?

A: When I present the treatment plan, the main obstacle is the price.

Q: How do you talk to them about overcoming the price?

A: I try to read their expressions as I present the plan. I first say that we can do everything in one visit if the insurance allows. Then I say we can do it in stages—over two visits or four visits. I always mention that I’ll do whatever fits their budget, so I let them decide. I don’t push.

Q: How do you talk to patients about Perio Protect and incorporate the Perio Protect Method into your treatment plans?

A: I tell them there is a gum treatment that patients do at home using trays that they wear with the medication every day for 15 minutes, and it works great. And then I let them see what it looks like. I show them the models with the trays and explain that the tray goes up above the gum line and creates a seal. I explain that, each day, they will put the medication in the bottom of the tray, like a line that goes all across. And when they put the tray in, the seal is created right away so it doesn’t allow the medication to come out. But it forces the medication to go below the gum line and kill the bacteria and the residual plaque that they’re not able to clean. And I support that by telling them that the brushing and flossing can go in 1 millimeter below the gum line. When they have pockets of 4, 5, or 6 millimeters, they’re not able to clean that no matter how many times they brush their teeth or floss. Perio Tray therapy works perfectly to do the cleaning they’re not able to do.

I usually start the Perio Protect treatment on their first or second visit after their initial periodontal therapy. I try not to overload them financially. Sometimes, for patients who have had their initial periodontal therapy but haven’t come in for a long time and have missed their perio maintenance, I show them the intraoral camera images and the x-rays, and then I’ll start talking about Perio Protect. At that point, I might start with Perio Protect first and take an impression and set them up to deliver Perio Protect in a month. And when I deliver Perio Protect, I do either a deep or a perio-maintenance cleaning.

Q: A lot of times you will start with just one tray. Why is that?

A: It’s a financial thing. I would rather have them start with one tray and do the other one later—on the follow-up visit. Life happens all the time, and priorities can change, and the money that they had saved for Perio Protect might go somewhere else. So, it’s better for them to start with one tray. And I usually break it into two payments—half when I start, when I take the impression, and they pay the other half when I deliver the tray.

Most offices don’t do this one tray at a time, but I’ve been very successful with this approach. I’m so glad I have the freedom to work this way with the Dental Care Alliance (DCA), one of the most respected dental support organizations in the industry. The company gives me everything that I need to be successful in treating patients. We have an awesome team at Superior Dental, too. I have an unlimited potential to grow. Every day is a new challenge, and I like to be challenged. That makes me do more and, at the end of the day—when I see the results of my input in the team and with patients—my job creates joy.

Q: What are some of the reactions from patients using Perio Protect?

A: I literally never get a bad reaction.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share for our readers?

A: The only thing I’d like to add is that Perio Protect really works. It’s a fabulous therapy that the patient should use it. It protects the teeth, the gums, the bone that’s around the teeth. We should use it because it benefits the patient.