Lynn Carlisle practiced dentistry in Ft Collins, Colorado from 1968-2005. His practice had an emphasis on preventive/wellness approaches and restorative dentistry. His frustration with his relationships with his patients and team members led to a life-long interest in communication and helping relationships. This search led him to L.D. Pankey, DDS, Bob Barkley, DDS, Carl Rogers, PhD, and Art Combs, PhD. He is the author of the highly acclaimed books “In a Spirit of Caring” and “In a Spirit of Caring Revisited” and is the editor and publisher of the web site “In a Spirit of Caring”. The books and web site are dedicated to helping dentists, dental consultants, and team members develop exceptional doctor-patient-client relationships.
He has written over 400 large and small articles on the people part of dentistry. Most of these are on the “In a Spirit of Caring” web site.
He is currently writing a book on Motivational Interviewing in Dentistry.
His Favorite Quote:
“Life is best understood backwards but must be lived forward” by Soren Kirkegaard
Helping the Dental Profession through:
- “In a Spirit of Caring” Book Hard copy here, Kindle Edition here
- Spirit of Caring Website.
- E-mail list Free to sign on on his website
- He has published over 400 articles.
Difficult time story:
Early on in his career in the 1970s. Dr. Carlisle felt like he was on fire attending study clubs and courses;but at some point he did not feel like things were going where he wanted them to go. In looking back , he went to far too fast for the people in his practice and he felt burned out in his 40’s. He started questioning whether he should be a dentist anymore and put his practice up for sale. The night before the sale he changed his mind and recommitted to dentistry and his practice. That was the metaphorical “re born” time in his life. He has since published the groundbreaking book called “In a Spirit of Caring” and laid the foundation for his patient centered dental practice.
What is exciting him right now as the up and coming thing:
His up and coming book called “Motivational Interviewing in Dentistry” and workshop he is doing in Santa Fe, NM in may called “Bridging the Dental Communication Gap”
The best advice he ever received:
“Do your best and let go of the rest” From Henry Tanner. He does admit that doing the best is the easy part but forgetting the rest is not.
The one habit that contributes to his success:
Persistence and Passion which will get through anything
His main clinical/ management recommendation:
Become patient centered by asking yourself throughout the day if you are patient centered or Dr. centered. Ask if you are truly asking the patients what they want or am I simply trying to convince them what I want to do?
Exciting technology of clinical procedures:
The re emergence of preventive dentistry termed in a more modern language called “complete dentistry” and “Wellness in the oral systemic connection.” Basically, how oral bacteria play a role in the general health of a person. The Dawson Institute is starting to have some courses on these topics.
His book recommendations:
- “In a spirit of caring“
- “Motivational Interviewing” book which will come out in the next few months.
- “The Philosophy of The Practice of Dentistry” by LD. Pankey.
- “The Exceptional Dental Practice” by Bill Lockard.
- “Functional Occlusion” by Dr. Pete Dawson
His technology / app resource:
- Bill Brown’s dental intelligence Blog.
- Dr.bicuspid also talks about the people aspects of dentistry.
If one had to start or restart all over again, this is his advice:
Find the best dental mentor you can find that is doing everything you want to do. If you have some disposable income, then start going to the institutes: Pankey, Dawson, John Kois, Frank Spear, Mike Schuster, Bob Frazier, etc… If you have financial trouble, then joining one of the branches of the armed services for a while would be good as it will allow you time to improve, get some income, and most importantly buy you time.
Dr. Carlisle can be reached at:
- Website: www.spiritofcaring.com
- E-mail: webmaster@spiritofcaring.com
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