Very Dental: Meeting the Patient Where They Are with Dr. Mike Melkers

Alan welcomes back Dr. Mike Melkers for a wide ranging conversation. Mike and Al go WAY back (DentalTown in the "oughts" anyone?) and we catch up a little bit.

Al was affected by a video Mike recorded earlier this year contrasting "comprehensive" care vs. "appropriate" care. 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Michael Melkers (@drmichaelmelkers)

What is comprehensive care? What is appropriate care? Mike is the guy to help us understand appropriate care for the dentist and the patient.

• Meet the patient where they are, for what their goals are
• The shame of not doing all FMR's
• Do patients have "goals?"
• Values vs. ethics
• Think about the "why?" 
• Considerations not consequences
• "What are your expectations for your teeth at x" (insert an age)
• "Are you aware that you're missing a tooth here..."
• Purpose, Process and Presentation

Some links from the show:

• Mike's Instagram
• "Dig-A-Palooza" in the Chicago Suburbs, October 25-26th featuring Mike Melkers, Artie Volker and Linc Harris!
•  Vedder Society meeting invitation (September 20-22, 2024) (use discount code AM1)
• "Crafting Connections: The Art of Effective Communication" (September 28, Alsip, IL)
• RIPE Global
• DentalHacks episode 24: Dr. Mike Melkers can quit learning any time he wants
• DentalHacks episode 25: Dr. Mike Melkers on patient communication and continuing education speed dating
• Dr. Mike Melkers on How We Get Better (DHP105)
• Spouses, Tractors and Disc Golf with Dr. Mike Melkers (DHP106)
• Mike is speaking at the Greater New York meeting AND the Chicago Midwinter meeting with Dr. Gary DeWood!
• Mike's course with Dr. Lane Ochi at Pankey
• Mike's social media research in AGD journal

Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!"

The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you’d like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us!

--

Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you’ll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you’ll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time!

--

The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist!

--

Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products!

--

CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even  their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you’ll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!