Sir, I think I speak for many when I say most of our patients could improve their oral hygiene. No matter how much we tell them, still they return at their next check up having never picked up an interdental brush, with that red band of inflamed gingivae hugging calculus and soft plaque deposits. So instead of telling them, why not show them?

Clinical photography is a great aid many are not using; I have found it to be key in engaging and motivating patients. Showing patients and explaining what they see aims to educate and engage them. They are used to seeing pictures in the media of perfect clean teeth so why not take a picture of theirs to show them the difference rather than just being told 'you need to floss'?

Take a photograph at each check up for comparison. Has there been an improvement? If so, where? If not, why? Photographs act as a clinical record, which helps to document whether the patient is truly engaging with treatment. This allows the clinician to gauge the level of compliance, can be helpful for decision-making and can offer support in litigation, by being able to clearly and accurately document continually poor plaque control and lack of patient engagement.

Overall I feel photography is a powerful tool we have at our disposal for patient motivation, engagement and education. It is not just for 'before and afters' or our own egos.