🎧💖 Your patients are ready to talk. Are you ready to listen?

Let's be real. We've all had patients who nod politely as you explain their gleaming treatment plan, only to forget it faster than their New Year’s resolutions. So, what's the secret sauce to actually get patients on board with the treatment they genuinely need?

Instead of coming up with new arguments, explanations, and monologues, just ask meaningful questions. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a conversational style well-established across all fields of healthcare. Think of MI as less 'convincing' and more 'gently guiding to their own 'aha!' moments.'

It's all about helping patients sort through their ideas and tap into their motivation. You then reflect back what you hear and offer your clinical input smoothly and comfortably. No arm-twisting required, just pure, unadulterated patient empowerment. It's like a perfectly choreographed dental dance, where everyone knows the steps (eventually!).

Cassiana’s 5 questions to supercharge your next appointment

Motivational interviewing was a hot topic in one of our latest community events. Among the brilliant minds sharing their insights was Cassiana Tavares, a Portuguese psychologist who coaches doctors and dentists on patient communication and care design. She generously shared her go-to list of 5 powerful questions she uses to unlock patient motivation – and now, they’re all yours.