Presentation 15

24th Australian Orthodontic Congress (AOC)

Mark Le Messurier's presentation

In March, 2014 - Mark presented two sessions to Australian and international orthodontists, office managers, nurses, hygienists and receptionists. The first was a session bursting with real understandings and practical tips for dealing with patients who are often difficult to deal with. In the second, Mark raised a series of particularly useful strategies, couched in a positive psychology, to help kids find appealing ways to invest in their own treatment. Kids are far more likely to get on board when they realise they can make choices that advantage them.

First presentation
Sunday 30th March, 9.30am (duration 45 minutes)

Topic; Dealing with Difficult Kids

Who are the 'difficult kids'?

Are they those who constantly squirm in the chair causing you to stop and start? Are they those who refuse to open their mouth or have a hypersensitive gag reflex? What about the kids who just won't comply? The kids who won't wear their appliances or rubber bands, or those who keep breaking their brackets off?

Luckily these are relatively few, but uncooperative kids make bad patients and cause problematic outcomes.

What about the group of kids who won't clean their teeth? You know them - the ones you show their dirty teeth to in the mirror. Then you invite the parents to come over and look as well. To your horror, the parents look, shrug and say, "I nag him about cleaning his room, doing his homework and I tell him to brush his teeth. He doesn't listen to me, what can I do?" You feel like saying, "Well, why don't you start acting like a proper parent. Why don't you turn off the TV and take away his bloody phone until he does it!" But, you don't. Instead, you burn with frustration inside.

Do you know why they're difficult? Have you considered what's driving this tricky behaviour? What can you do about it?

Welcome to a session bursting with real understandings and practical tips for every orthodontist, nurse, hygienist and receptionist. One thing is for sure - possessing a savvy set of tools to draw from is an essential when confronted with a 'difficult kid'. The bonus is that these very same tips may be life savers at home with your own children!

Mark Le Messurier - counsellor and mentor to children and teens. He is also a parent coach.
Mark is the author of the best seller, PARENTING TOUGH KIDS and RAISING BEAUT KIDS: Recipes for parents on when to say "yes" and how to say "no"

Second presentation
Sunday 30th March, 2.45pm (duration 45 minutes)

Topic; Motivating people, or complying with treatment

In a perfect world, every child or teen that came your way would do what you wanted in the spirit you desired. They'd appreciate your skill and genial character. They'd be grateful for having such specialised treatment paid for by a parent. You would be held in such revere that patients would gladly wear a twin block appliance as a fashion statement simply because you said so.

In a less perfect world, just a few years ago, an orthodontist could have demand compliance from a young patient with a few well-chosen tell-offs, and got it! And, if it wasn't fast and forthcoming they'd ask a parent to deliver the extra measures to achieve it. What used to work to gain a young patient's cooperation and respect doesn't work nearly as well today. Oh yes, the world has changed!

The truth is that the world and your patients are not perfect. Most need a little external motivation to help them along the way. Others need bucket loads of encouragement and cajoling to follow your treatment plan because they can't yet delay their desire for instant gratification. Quite a few need convincing that the treatment really is in their best interest, even though you feel pressured by a small window of time to complete treatment. Some of your patients are locked into emotional and oppositional battles with parents, and unless you spot this deadlock early and have a plan, you will fast become a casualty.

In this session Mark will raise a series of useful, everyday strategies couched in a positive psychology approach - sound ideas to help kids find appealing short-term methods to invest in their own treatment. Kids are far more likely to get on board when they realise they can make choices that advantage them. What's the alternative? You know the answer - most of you have discovered from bitter experience that when a young patient remains anti-treatment they'll be a headache from start to finish.

Mark Le Messurier - counsellor and mentor to children and teens. He is also a parent coach.
Mark is the author of the best seller, PARENTING TOUGH KIDS and RAISING BEAUT KIDS: Recipes for parents on when to say "yes" and how to say "no"