The Basic Rules of Being a Dental Patient by Dr. Mike Racich
Dr. Mike Racich, a general dentist in the Vancouver area, spoke with Dr. John O’Keefe about his recent book. He has authored three to date and his latest is titled, “The Basic Rules of Being a Dental Patient”.
Dr. Racich felt it was important for patients to feel empowered in their interactions with their healthcare provider. Placebo effect plays an important role in patients’ confidence whereby a patient has a positive relationship with their practitioner; “NO-cebo” is the opposite effect as patients feel uncomfortable with the provider and may question the information they receive.
As such, the book outlines certain concepts that help patients find a dental office that suits them.
• How do you assess the practitioner?
• How do you feel when you interact with the team?
• Do you feel empowered by and confident in the team?
Dental teams may also benefit from reading this book which is available by contacting Dr. Racich at mike@drracich.ca or by visiting www.drracich.ca
Dr. Racich, a 1982 graduate from University of British Columbia, has a general dental practice emphasizing comprehensive restorative dentistry, prosthodontics and TMD/ orofacial pain. Dr. Racich is a member of many professional organizations and has lectured nationally and internationally on subjects relating to patient comfort, function and appearance. He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and the American College of Dentists as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Dr. Racich has published in peer-reviewed scientific journals such as the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry and the Canadian Dental Journal and has authored the books: The Basic Rules of Oral Rehabilitation (2010), The Basic Rules of Occlusion (2012), The Basic Rules of Facially Generated Treatment Planning (2013), and The Basic Rules of Being a Dental Patient (2016). Currently he mentors the didactic/clinical FOCUS Dental Education Continuum (study clubs, proprietary programs, coaching, 2nd opinions only).