A Guide to People Management: Understanding Your Patients’ and Staffs’ Personality Types

The DiSC theory is popular classification system originating in the 1920’s that categorizes all individuals into four primary behavior types: D-Dominant; I-Influential; S-Steady; and C-Conscientious. The aim of the DiSC theory was to categorize people by their temperaments in order to improve interpersonal relationships. In other words, if we know how people behave, we will know how to treat them. For the orthodontist, understanding DiSC will increase case closure, highlight which patients are challenging to treat, and aid in hiring the appropriate staff. Teaching DiSC is my absolute favorite subject, and I promise this will be one of the most important lectures you will hear all weekend.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate DiSC Theory. 
• Modify your consult based on the patient’s behavior type.
• Apply DiSC to your staff to hire a dream team.