How To Elevate Your Practice’s Patient Experience
A patient-first culture is something your dental practice can foster by prioritizing patients’ needs, preferences, and experiences. Doing so will lead to greater patient satisfaction and higher patient retention, as your patients will feel truly valued and will be thrilled with the quality care you provide.
Make no mistake: Developing a patient-first culture can be a challenging task. However, you can implement the 7 straightforward tips below to set your dental practice off in the right direction.
1. Personalize patient care.
Treating each patient as the unique individual they are and taking the time to understand their specific needs and preferences will go a long way. Make sure to practice active listening when discussing patient concerns and to implement those details into their treatment plan accordingly.
Keeping track of personal details can be a challenge with so many patients to care for, but there are solutions available. The right patient management system will allow you to easily track and update personal details and treatment preferences for a seamless and consistent experience.
2. Offer straight wire orthodontics.
Many of your patients (children and adults alike) will likely need orthodontic treatment at some point. Offering straight wire treatment in-house means that they won’t have to visit a new specialist, which gives them a much more convenient patient experience.
Pursuing a general dentist orthodontic course will help you build the solid foundation needed to offer treatment. Just be wary of strictly online orthodontic courses, as they may not offer the hands-on experience you need.
3. Enhance your communication.
You and your team should always strive to communicate openly, clearly, and empathetically. While it may already be routine for you, your patients are often making serious decisions regarding their treatment options that will have long-term impacts on their health and wellness.
One of the most important areas to focus on when it comes to communication is the use of technical versus layman’s terms. Many of the terms that you, as a dentist, consider commonplace will likely be foreign or confusing to your patients. Make sure that your patients truly understand what you’re saying to avoid unintentionally stoking unnecessary fear or anxiety.
4. Follow up and request feedback.
You can show your patients you care about their well-being by taking the time to follow up after treatments, whether in the form of reaching out about recovery from a specific procedure or simply offering reminders about their next appointments.
Providing your patients with opportunities to give feedback, such as through surveys, also makes them feel heard and valued. Feedback will also help you identify areas for improvement and adapt your practice to deliver even better patient experiences in the future.
5. Invest in team development.
Getting your entire team on board is essential to creating a patient-first culture. Every interaction that patients have with your team, from the time they book their appointments to the point they walk out your front door, should be friendly and positive.
Instead of leaving the outcomes of these interactions up to chance, refresh your team with training on how to handle patients. The impressions they make with patients are just as vital as any technical aspect of their roles, so take the time to address them thoroughly.
6. Provide a comfortable practice environment.
Another key factor in how patients see your practice is the office itself. Providing a comfortable and welcoming environment instills a positive impression that helps your patients feel relaxed and less anxious.
There are many different ways that you and your team can achieve that. Carefully selecting decor for your office is a great first step. You want it to be warm and welcoming, clean but not excessively sterile. Offering a comfortable waiting room with some form of entertainment will help your patients feel at ease ahead of their appointments.
7. Engage with your community.
Your patients’ perception of your practice extends beyond your office walls. The role you play in your community is also a major factor. You can increase feelings of trust and loyalty among your patients by engaging in local events.
As a dentist, you have the opportunity to lend your expertise to a variety of community health initiatives to demonstrate your commitment. These initiatives will vary depending on the specific needs of your community. For example, you and your team could take part in free dental care clinics offered for low-income families or provide educational talks on oral health.
Put these tips into practice.
You can improve patient satisfaction and grow your dental practice by following these tips to create a patient-first culture. Williams GP Orthodontic Seminars provides practical skills and insight to improve how you handle patient care and gives you the foundation to offer straight wire orthodontics. Browse our full course catalog today to find the course that’s right for you.