Description:
A dentist's guide to humanizing patient care through positive psychology-practical tools to boost outcomes, strengthen connection, and prevent burnout.
Brief description: DR. LAURENCE N. BENZ, PT, DPT, FAPTA, MBA, OCS, MAPP, is the founder of Confluent Health and CEO of the Dental Care Alliance. A nationally recognized leader in private-practice physical therapy and occupational medicine, he has received numerous industry honors and is a Catherine Worthingham Fellow. Dr. Benz serves as chair of the University of Louisville Board of Trustees and sits on the boards of the University of Louisville Athletic Association and UofL Health. His service also includes time as a US Army captain in the Army Medical Specialist Corps, during which he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
Review Quotes:
"Called to Care: A Dental Professional's Guide to Humanizing the Patient Experience is a genuinely transformative read that reimagines dentistry not as a series of procedures, but as a profession built on human connection. Dr. Larry Benz masterfully translates the hard science of positive psychology into practical, everyday tools that can heal both patient anxiety and provider burnout at the same time. This book has the power to change how dental teams see their work-and how patients experience care-for the better, one appointment at a time."
-Dr. Trey Mueller, DMD, Chief Clinical Officer, Dental Care Alliance
"Called to Care: A Dental Professional's Guide to Humanizing the Patient Experience is a powerful reminder that clinical excellence and compassionate care are inseparable in the delivery of oral healthcare. As DCA's dental director for the New York region, I recognize the importance of fostering a dental workforce that not only provides high-quality, evidence-based care but also treats every patient with dignity, empathy, and respect. This book offers guidance that aligns with our commitment to advancing equitable, patient-centered oral health across diverse communities and care settings. I am proud to endorse this important resource and encourage every member of the dental profession to embrace its message of compassionate, human-centered care."
-Robert Friedman, DMD, Dental Director, New York Region, Dental Care Alliance
"Called to Care: A Dental Professional's Guide to Humanizing the Patient Experience is a timely reminder that great dentistry is about more than clinical skill. It highlights how human connection strengthens trust, improves the patient experience, and supports the well-being of the entire dental team. As someone who supports hundreds of hygienists across DCA, I believe investing in the human side of dentistry is one of the best ways we can strengthen our profession and the people who make it possible."
-Christin Lisenby, Vice President, Hygiene, Dental Care Alliance
"As a hygiene coach, I have the privilege of witnessing every day how trust, dignity, and human connection shape the patient experience. The premise of this book reflects a truth I believe deeply: Clinical excellence, patient advocacy, and compassionate care are inseparable. Connecting empathetically with our patients builds trust, creates lasting relationships, and inspires patients to return and confidently refer their family and friends, strengthening our practices on a foundation of genuine care. I believe this work has the potential to inspire dental teams to strengthen the culture of care that defines our profession while continuing to elevate the experience of every patient we serve."
-Elizabeth Gattorno, RDH, Hygiene Coach, Dental Care Alliance
"Behind every anxious glance and unspoken fear lies a patient who cannot speak, yet desperately needs to be heard. Called to Care: A Dental Professional's Guide to Humanizing the Patient Experience uncovers the quiet humanity behind our profession, where trust is built without words and healing begins long before any procedures. Learning to embrace this deeper connection on building relationships, I have been able to cultivate teams grounded in empathy, unity, and purpose. And it's within these teams that true excellence is born."
-Tara Pannell, BSDH, RDH, Hygiene Coach, Virginia South, Konikoff Dental