Lynn Carlisle practiced relationship-based 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 and their work. He applied their work to his dental practice and then was a pioneer in relationship-based dentistry.
He is the author of Motivational Interviewing in Dentistry and the highly acclaimed book In a Spirit of Caring. He 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 was also on the board of the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education and was president of the Bob Barkley Foundation. After over 100,000 patient encounters and 40 years of practice, he retired from the clinical practice of dentistry in 2006 and moved to Carbondale, Colorado where he continues to write, think, consult, enjoy life and adapt to his latest transition. This transition has provided him with an expanded perspective that only leaving the clinical practice of dentistry could provide.