Dr. Brett Bingham

Dr. Brett Bingham Dr. Brett Bingham | Veterinarian

Helping vets communicate better, lead the exam room, and love practice again. Practical skills. Real appointments.

07/20/2026

No tooth is better than a painful tooth.

When a client asks, “But how is he going to eat?” they’re not being difficult. They’re asking a completely reasonable question.

They associate teeth with chewing—and chewing with eating.

The problem is, a loose, fractured, abscessed, or severely diseased tooth probably isn’t helping the pet eat anyway.

They’re chewing around it.
Avoiding it.
Living with it—not using it.

That’s why I tell clients:

“If this tooth is painful, which it would be if it were in my mouth, then he’s probably not using it anyway. Most pets actually eat better after we remove painful teeth because eating doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Our goal isn’t to take teeth out.

Our goal is to take pain and infection out.

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07/17/2026

Stop calling it a dental cleaning.

When clients hear “cleaning,” they compare it to their own routine dental visit: scrape the teeth, polish them, and go home.

Then they wonder why their pet’s “cleaning” costs so much.

But we aren’t just cleaning teeth.

We place an IV catheter.
We administer anesthesia.
We monitor vital signs.
We take full-mouth dental X-rays.
We examine and chart every tooth.
We clean and polish the teeth.
And, when necessary, we perform oral surgery.

That is not just a cleaning—and calling it one completely devalues the care being provided.

Call it what it really is:

A professional dental procedure.

“Professional” communicates that it requires a trained medical team.

“Procedure” communicates that it involves much more than simply removing tartar.

And please don’t call it a COHAT or an oral ATP when speaking with clients. Those terms may make sense to us, but they mean nothing to most pet owners.

Sometimes the best way to communicate value is simply to use the right words.

Comment WORDS below and I’ll send you a copy of my “Words Matter” resource.

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07/15/2026

Repeating the history multiple times wastes everyone’s time.

In many practices, the technician collects the entire history, summarizes it for the doctor, and then the client repeats the whole story again to the doctor.

Did you know there's not one study that claims this is the most accurate or most efficient way to collect a history. Why do we do it?

The problem is that we’ve blended together two different jobs:

Medical health data: medications, diet, supplements, vaccines, parasite prevention, lifestyle, dental care, and previous records.

Technicians are excellent at collecting this information.

The medical interview: the client’s story, gathered through open-ended questions, active listening, empathy, observation, reflection, and focused follow-up.

That part belongs to the doctor.

Let your technicians collect the objective health data, then tell the client:

“The doctor will ask you more about what’s been happening today.”

Doctors, do the medical interview yourself.

That’s where trust is built.
That’s where important clues are uncovered.
And that’s where medicine really begins.

Studies show active listening in a formal medical interview is the most accurate and most efficient way to collect the history, NOT repetition.

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07/13/2026

Our clients don’t speak vet.

Medical terminology helps us communicate a lot of information quickly—but to clients, it can sound like a foreign language.

When clients don’t understand what we’re saying, they can feel confused, overwhelmed, or even lose trust.

I still use the medical term because that’s how I think—but I explain it immediately.

“Pyometra means an infection in the uterus.”

“Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer of the blood vessels that we often find in the spleen.”

“Pleural effusion means there is fluid in the chest around the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.”

The goal isn’t to sound smart.

The goal is to be understood—so clients can confidently make informed decisions for their pets.

For more practical veterinary communication tips, follow me. Your clients will thank you.

07/10/2026

Doing nothing has risk too.

Veterinarians, clients struggle with medical decisions for the same reason we do: almost every option has benefits, risks, and costs.

Lab work has a cost.
X-rays have a cost.
Anesthesia has risk.
Surgery has risk.

But doing nothing has risk too.

When a client feels stuck, try asking:

“Do the benefits outweigh the risks or costs?”

For example, with dental disease, a client may say:

“I’m worried my dog is too old for anesthesia.”

That is a fair concern.

But the real question is: Is the risk of anesthesia greater than the risk of leaving infection, inflammation, and pain untreated?

This is not about pressuring clients into a decision. It is about helping them see the full picture so they can make an informed decision for their pet.

Our job is to help clients weigh the benefits, risks, and costs—not just the fear of moving forward.

I’m Dr. Bingham. Follow me for more practical veterinary communication tips.

07/08/2026

Your uniform is the first thing a client sees.

Before you say a word, it is already communicating something about you, your hospital, and the care their pet is about to receive.

Here are the five requirements of a great veterinary uniform:

Your name on the right chest. Clients need to know who you are when you introduce yourself and offer a handshake.
Your hospital logo on the left chest. You represent the whole team, not just yourself.
Clean and well-fitted. Fair or not, sloppy uniforms can make clients wonder whether the care will be sloppy too.
Soft, muted solid colors. Avoid bright white or busy patterns that may create anxiety for some pets.
Do not underestimate the stethoscope. It is a simple symbol of professionalism and your role as the doctor.

Your uniform is not about fashion.

It is one of the first communication tools you use in the exam room. Take advantage of it.

I’m Dr. Brett Bingham. Follow me for practical veterinary communication tips.

07/06/2026

Stop sabotaging your free time.

Veterinarians, stop ending appointments with:

“Just call me if you have questions.”

It sounds helpful, but it can create unlimited callbacks, frustrated receptionists, late nights, and missed dinners.

Try this instead:

“Write down your questions and concerns. When you’re ready, call us to schedule a progress exam or consult.”

Clear expectations protect your time, your team, and your ability to provide better care.

Your spouse, kids, and mountain biking buddies will thank you.

07/03/2026

An estimate is necessary. But the way we introduce it matters.

“Estimate” can make a client immediately focus on cost. A Care Plan Estimate reminds them that the number is connected to a thoughtful plan for their pet’s care.

Small language changes can make your recommendations feel more organized, collaborative, and trustworthy.

Try it this week:

“Sarah will go over the Care Plan Estimate with you. Then, with your permission, we’ll get started.”

07/01/2026

Veterinarians, here’s the uncomfortable truth: you are in sales.

Not pushy, high-pressure sales. Service and Education.

Every day, clients come to us with a problem they cannot solve alone. Our job is to understand what is happening, build trust, explain the options, and help them make an informed decision to solve their problem.

Bloodwork. X-rays. Cytology. Dentistry. Surgery. Medication. Referral. Monitoring. Wellness screening.

Those are not things we “sell.” They are options we use to help solve a problem.

The goal is never to pressure someone into saying yes. The goal is to educate clearly enough that they understand the value of the recommendation and can make the best decision possible.

Selling the right way is simply serving people better.

06/24/2026

Your clients are not price-sensitive. You might be.

Stop calling veterinary care “expensive” or “cheap.”

Those words are your judgment—not the client’s.

Your job is to explain the value, discuss the options, share the costs, and let the client decide what fits their budget.

Try this instead:

“This option requires a financial investment.”

Or:

“This option costs less, but let’s talk through the pros and cons of each.”

Do not decide for clients before they have the information.

Address

199 N. Capitol Boulevard #905
Boise, ID
83702

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