Orthodontists' lives would be a lot easier if we never had a patient fail an appointment or break or damage an appliance. We often excuse this lack of cooperation and end by "biting the bullet" by absorbing the loss ourselves.
To solve this problem we have developed the following "Truth in Lending Form". The first part of the form contains the conventional truth in lending statement. However, the second part addresses the problem of non-cooperation by the patient and provides for compensation to the doctor for this lack of patient cooperation.
This form is printed with a carbonless duplicate and signed by the parent/patient before treatment is begun. This approach has been very well received by the patients and does provide adequate compensation to the orthodontist for patients who refuse to cooperate.
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Thanks to Dr. Buddy McLaughlin of Mobile, Alabama for contributing this Pearl. If you have a Pearl to share with your colleagues, send it to Dr. Jerry Clark, 409 Parkway, Greensboro, NC 27401.
