4 Reasons Mental Health Professionals Should Consider Cosmetic Dental Procedures

If you are in school to become a mental health professional, you are most likely worried about exams, psychological theories and tuition. While you may think about creating a professional appearance through your dress and make up, you may fail to consider how beneficial cosmetic dentistry may be to your future career. However, many cosmetic procedures, from teeth whitening to the application of veneers or gum reduction, can increase your success as a mental health professional. 

Be Understood 

If you have a slight gap between your two front teeth, you may find it difficult to pronounce certain words clearly. If it is a small gap, straightening may not be medically necessary, but it is a cosmetic procedure that can greatly increase your success as a therapist or other mental health professional. Many of your clients may suffer from mental conditions that make it difficult for them to understand others, concentrate on other's speech, or listen to accents. For this reason, it is important that you maintain a clear and neutral speech pattern, uninhibited by misalignment of your teeth. 

If you have grown up with crooked teeth, and have very minor speech problems, you may not notice them. To know whether you need elective teeth straightening, you should record yourself during practice therapy sessions. Listen for whistling, dropped letters, or unclear words, then talk to your dentist if you think the alignment of your teeth may be the cause of these speech problems. 

Increase Patient Trust 

73% of Americans are more likely to trust someone who has a good smile, defined as a smile with straight, white teeth. Whether you are a therapist or working as an orderly in a mental health facility, patient trust is an important part of your success. Patients who trust you are more likely to be open with you and follow your prescribed treatment. 

Paying for whitening or braces can also get you more clients, as your potential clients may make judgements about your appearance before they engage in a single session with you. 

Look Smarter 

People with straight teeth are 38% more likely to be perceived as smart than those with crooked teeth, and whiter teeth can also add to that perception of intelligence. While it is important to appear smart to your clients, in order to put them at ease and gain their trust, appearing smart can also help you land a job, gain respect from your colleagues, and ultimately advance your career. 

A new set of veneers could help you gain the confidence of your peers whether you are defending your thesis or presenting a paper at a conference. 

Boost Your Self-esteem 

Your first job as a mental health professional after graduate school can be frightening. Even with plenty of practice and the correct tools for the job, you may still wonder whether your patients will take you seriously and whether you will be able to help your clients. While a better smile will not increase your skills, it can make you feel a bit more confident about yourself, which may improve your overall work performance. 

To get the biggest self-esteem boost, you should consider getting any necessary cosmetic procedures before your graduate from school, so the positive remarks from your classmates and coworkers can help increase your confidence before you begin working with patients. 

In the mental health field, appearance is highly important, and having a smile that inspires trust in your patients is a worthwhile asset. If you are unsure about the quality of your smile, you should talk to your dentist at a place like Park Ridge Dental Associates about cosmetic procedures that may improve your smile and your confidence.


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