Communication is a key to Dental Consultants helping dentists reach patients

Communication is a key to Dental Consultants helping dentists reach patients

A dentist’s job is to provide professional and comfortable care to their patients. They suggest treatment and services to their patients based up the findings when inside the patient’s mouth. Dental Consultants help to bridge the gap between what you as a dentist say to your patients. If you aren’t having success bringing in new patients or maintaining a strong patient base, the language you are using to describe the treatments needed to your patients may be going on deaf ears. Patients who don’t seem to understand the treatment plan or what your consultation did for them will leave feeling your office unsatisfied and unlikely to return. The patient might need to be told why they should be satisfied and what you have down to make them satisfied. To correct this deficiency a dentist can do a number of things to ensure clarity of communication is taking place and there is no break-down in the message between the sender and the receiver, and if there is why the break-down is happening and what some solutions are to helping patients fell satisfied and happy with your dental service. Patients should be a part of the process to maintain a comfort level and their long term loyalty.

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The first step in ensuring good communication lines with a patient is to simply listen to what they have to say. The patient is going to tell you exactly if they are having a problem with maintaining dental hygiene and if they are uncomfortable or if they are just there for routine maintenance. By talking with the patient and walking them through their problem, a good communicator will be able to hear what the problem is and be able to better find a solution for that problem. Dental Consultants will tell you that a great dentist or staff member will listen to the patient intently and with focus, actually caring about what is wrong with them. This connectedness allows for the patient to thoroughly describe the ailment and for a correct diagnosis to take place. When the patient and the dentist have a rapport with each other and the patient is trusting because they understand what is going on, treatment recommendations will be easier to accept as will future appointments. You should treat your patients as you would want to be treated if you were going to another dentist’s office. This ability to see things from the patient’s perspective is key to good communication and a better understanding of what is needed to run a successful dental practice. Because most dentists maintain a full schedule, they don’t have time to interact with their patients. This creates a disconnect for some patients and they get the impression that you are just lining them up, working on them, and sending them out the door. This “icy” approach will not get your far with future patients.

Communication is a key to Dental Consultants helping dentists reach patients

Because a majority of patients want to feel comfortable during their office visit, care for this should be handled with a top priority. Easing the fears and anxiousness of patients will make the office more accessible and easier to come to. This will help with keeping appointments and getting the word out that your office cares about patients’ feelings. Effective note-taking can be key to know what each patient needs for their individualized care, according to Dental Consultants. The patient sees the note taking and appreciates the attention to detail being giving to their oral health needs. By reinforcing to the patient that you are keen on what they need for their health, they will trust you and accept your diagnosis and call for service and treatments. This helps with the bottom line and with word of mouth for being such and attentive dentist. Showing a patient that you are on top of your game by being attentive to their needs puts them at rest and gives them a sense of calm that helps with the ambiance of the office. By maintaining an orderly appearance the patient can fully accept the professionalism of your office.

Just as taking notes during a meeting with a patient allows them to know you are concerned with their health while you are in their presence, writing a note afterward can have an even stronger effect. Maintaining long-term relationships with your patients should be one of the top priorities of your dental practice. By making this a priority, you are investing in the future of your business with minimal investment. When you take the time out of your busy dental schedule to show a patient a personal touch, you are adding value to your service that can’t be counted in dollars and cents. Following up a treatment with a hand-written letter to let the patient know you remember who they are and what they came in for and what your recommendation was based on what they came in for will help the patient know they are important to your practice. People want to feel wanted and appreciate being appreciated. This small gesture can be the simplest of letters reminding the patient of what was discussed at the prior meeting. Patients will tell their friends of the personalized and VIP treatment they received while at your dental office and other will want the same thing, says Dental Consultants. By bringing a personalized touch, you can set yourself apart from other dental offices that just do the minimum to get by.

Communication is a key to Dental Consultants helping dentists reach patients

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3 Comments and Trackbacks

  • Posted by ADA_Ceo on October 29, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    Wow… Communication is a key to Dental Consultants helping dentists reach patients Hygiene Diamonds knows there stuff.

  • Posted by Rembrant_Whitening on October 29, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    … “Communication is a key to Dental Consultants helping dentists reach patients” was a great article, thanks Hygiene Diamonds!

  • Posted by Dental-Consultant on October 29, 2012 at 3:42 pm

    Wow… Communication is a key to Dental Consultants helping dentists reach patients Hygiene Diamonds knows there stuff.