Do compliments to patients actually improve dental case acceptance?
They do, and the research is old enough to have grandchildren. Studies going back to the 1970s show that genuine compliments measurably raise what psychologists call compliance, which in plain terms means getting a yes. That is not a soft, feel-good claim. It is decades of data you cannot wave away. The catch is the compliment has to be real and it has to land on something the patient controls. The best one in dentistry is praising the decision itself. Tell a patient they made a smart move by investigating their treatment now, and you reinforce the very behavior you want more of. Most practices skip this because it feels too easy to matter. That is exactly why it works. Stop assuming patients know you respect their choice. Say it out loud, and say it often.
If the answers you are finding here resonate with you, my team and I work with a small group of clients each year. The next step is a complimentary Discovery Consultation and Practice Review with Dr. McAnally.