What are PITA dental patients and why does every long-running practice eventually attract some? PITA, which stands for the common acronym for chronically difficult patients, refers to the small percentage of patients who consume disproportionate doctor and team energy, generate consistent friction, and produce the kind of dread the team feels before each visit. They exist in every practice that has been running long enough. They are not always identifiable upfront. Some pass through the qualifying and consultation process well enough, then reveal their patterns during treatment. Their behaviors range from chronic lateness and excessive demands to disrespect toward staff, perpetual [...]

What are PITA dental patients and why does every long-running practice eventually attract some? PITA, which stands for the common acronym for chronically difficult patients, refers to the small percentage of patients who consume disproportionate doctor and team energy, generate consistent friction, and produce the kind of dread the team feels before each visit. They exist in every practice that has been running long enough. They are not always identifiable upfront. Some pass through the qualifying and consultation process well enough, then reveal their patterns during treatment. Their behaviors range from chronic lateness and excessive demands to disrespect toward staff, perpetual [...]

What are PITA dental patients and why does every long-running practice eventually attract some? PITA, which stands for the common acronym for chronically difficult patients, refers to the small percentage of patients who consume disproportionate doctor and team energy, generate consistent friction, and produce the kind of dread the team feels before each visit. They exist in every practice that has been running long enough. They are not always identifiable upfront. Some pass through the qualifying and consultation process well enough, then reveal their patterns during treatment. Their behaviors range from chronic lateness and excessive demands to disrespect toward staff, perpetual [...]