Think of the opportunity in educating consumers about the possibilities of having a dentist treat their bad breath. In addition to a regular schedule of oral hygiene and care there is something that everyone wanting better breath can do. Rather than masking bad breath with mints and mouthwashes, patients with breath disorders ranging from mild bad breath to chronic halitosis can treat their ailment if they would just see their dentist. For you, it means new patients, high compliance, psychological satisfaction, and a new source of revenue for your practice.

The ADA estimates that over 50% of the population doesn't even have a dentist or visit one regularly. Of the 50% that do go, only about 20% are committed to their oral health and preventive care. One of the most significant reasons for not going to the dentist is fear. This fear of the dentist is reinforced on television, movies, and through advertising. The greatest possibility for changing consumer phobias is by truly offering a positive experience. If dentists promote and offer such non-invasive procedures as the treatment of halitosis and tooth whitening, these negative stereotypes will become a thing of the past. The treatment of bad breath does not even require an actual dentist. It is a diagnosis and procedure that can be performed by a trained hygienist. In addition, patient compliance and satisfaction is higher than for almost any other dental procedure.

What's more, having fresh breath has become the "in" thing. Intimacy, confidence and self-esteem can be immensely influenced by having fresh breath. Just think, your new patients will associate your practice with a positive experience, increased confidence and a better self image. The impact on your practice with existing patients could be staggering. By providing the necessary products required for successful treatment of halitosis, you can establish an additional profit center that in itself is so significant that many dentists, myself included, add anywhere from $1-5K additional income (pure profit) per month. This profit center can be completely delegatable to your staff.

To earn this additional profit you need to stock products and act as a retail outlet, but after all, 85% of all dental practices in America today are small, independently owned businesses. The reality is that the distribution of these products through your practice is a natural extension of effective treatment diagnosis and it is convenient for the patient.

Among the products available for treatment of halitosis is the Oxyfresh line.

In addition, specializing in the treatment of breath disorders can be a source of new patient flow from other health-care professionals. Approximately 80% of the treatment of breath disorders involves the oral cavity. Gastroenterologists, internists, ENT's and others treating patients seeking malodor treatment will refer these patients to your practice. This can become a very significant referral source and, as we all know, referrals from other professionals already have trust and confidence instilled that is critical to treatment acceptance.

So, if you're looking for a way to distinguish your practice from others in your area, increase the profitability of your practice, or take advantage of a popular consumer trend, explore the possibilities of treating breath disorders. After all, it's time for dentists to wise up, become business-smart and capitalize on what our patients want. Managed care, insurance companies, product manufacturer sales people, etc., will continue to capitalize on our unwillingness to act if we allow them.