In a Spirit of Caring Revisited

A classic book on Lynn Carlisle's odyssey of becoming a relationship-based dentist. Lynn writes about his challenges in coming into dentistry at the beginning of the preventive dentistry era and the paradigm changes that this era initiated in dentistry and his dental practice.

He explores how this paradigm change created a need for a new model of health care and a change in the doctor/patient relationship. In this book, he revisits and updates what he and the other pioneers in preventive dentistry have learned into the 21st century.

"He explores the human side of dentistry and the need to redefine doctor/patient relationships from traditional expert-petitioners to a meeting of equals in a partnership for healing." The result is a more effective and fulfilling way of practicing dentistry.

A “Best Book” for dentists and team members to help them provide exceptional, rewarding care for their dental patients. The 21st century has arrived - seemingly with the speed of light. There have been major changes in dentistry and society in the 21st century. These changes challenge all people in dentistry. Many dentists and team members are seeking a more fulfilling way of practicing dentistry in these troubled, challenging times.

The current crises in dentistry and health care are leading many patients (and dentists) to rediscover the importance of altruism and caring in health care. These patients will aggressively seek out dental practices that manifest caring doctor-patient-team relationships. In a Spirit of Caring Revisited, Understanding and finding meaning in the doctor-patient relationship in the 21st Century will help dentists and team members become one of these practices.

Lynn D Carlisle, DDS, the author of this newly updated and revised version of In a Spirit of Caring, believes: “It is a book for new and veteran practitioners seeking a more fulfilling, rewarding way of practicing dentistry. It will help readers discover or re-discover the timeless truths about understanding and finding meaning in caring doctor-patient-team relationships.”

This way of practicing is called relationship-based dentistry. The at times controversial book includes six bonus articles like “101 things to do In a Spirit of Caring”, and many other practical ways to help dental practices optimize a spirit of caring for their patients. It also has links to relevant articles on the In a Spirit of Caring web site.

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.