PEP: patient-supported esthetic protocol.

Abstract

Nowadays, materials and process engineering, especially digital-based techniques, are becoming more and more important for esthetic dentistry. Digital communication is also increasing, which is accompanied by a change from a personal contact to a more technocratic and less emotional and empathic communication. Sometimes our personal experiences and perceptions, based on dental, empirical knowledge, collide with this development. It also happens very often, that the patients - with their perceptions, concerns and not least their esthetic preferences - feel neglected by the treatment team. Patient's wishes often cannot be described adequately. The patient-supported esthetic protocol (PEP) described in this article is a simple tool with which the patients are involved in the esthetic concerns of their treatment. The patient feels to be more perceived, respected, and their wishes implemented, without affecting the medical therapy. At the same time, PEP is used for communication within the health care team, such as the dentist and the dental technician. Because of the clear record it is easy to recognize the changes the patient desires, and the suggestions a teammate developed with the patient, without having been present at the session. Furthermore, the protocol can be attached to the patient's medical history and, therefore, could be a tool for quality management.