TEAM WORK
Appropriate Recall Policies
Prevention and patient compliance in their dental health is a top priority. They need to take ownership of their health with the help and support of the dental team. Too many still consider our role to fix and clean them. Recall periods should be finely tuned to individuals. For example, it might be relevant to review high-risk patients every three months and to redo their dietary questionnaires, followed by detailed observation of their lesions. This questionnaire is, in my view, essential in providing an insight into what may be contributing to their problem.
A team-based responsibility
A fresh approach to our dental care is, I feel, essential. We are in a climate with our patients having less money to spend and possibly entering a recession. We need to make an extra effort to offer them something different and unique for them. They need to take ownership of their general health, and are role is to coach them to avoid the disease process resulting in invasive treatment. We need to reassure them that they are in a safe environment.
We can offer less expensive ways to look after their teeth as the less invasive and more preventative approach can reduce costs. We can offer more time to replace the need for drilling. We hope that they keep coming back and start referring new patients.
A large percentage of the population are non-attenders for various reasons, but this preventative approach could attract many of those too. I do not believe that it is possible to bring about all these changes overnight. Still, it can be done gradually with the full support of your team, both in practice and ultimately remotely from mobile units for care homes and through teledentistry accessed through your App.
These proposals could be discussed and developed face to face or the Zoom or teams platforms we are all now familair with. I suggest getting the backing of the dental plan company which could sponsor the meetings.
Prevention and patient compliance in their dental health is a top priority. They need to take ownership of their health with the help and support of the dental team. Too many still consider our role to fix and clean them. Recall periods should be finely tuned to individuals. For example, it might be relevant to review high-risk patients every three months and to redo their dietary questionnaires, followed by detailed observation of their lesions. This questionnaire is, in my view, essential in providing an insight into what may be contributing to their problem.
A team-based responsibility
A fresh approach to our dental care is, I feel, essential. We are in a climate with our patients having less money to spend and possibly entering a recession. We need to make an extra effort to offer them something different and unique for them. They need to take ownership of their general health, and are role is to coach them to avoid the disease process resulting in invasive treatment. We need to reassure them that they are in a safe environment.
We can offer less expensive ways to look after their teeth as the less invasive and more preventative approach can reduce costs. We can offer more time to replace the need for drilling. We hope that they keep coming back and start referring new patients.
A large percentage of the population are non-attenders for various reasons, but this preventative approach could attract many of those too. I do not believe that it is possible to bring about all these changes overnight. Still, it can be done gradually with the full support of your team, both in practice and ultimately remotely from mobile units for care homes and through teledentistry accessed through your App.
These proposals could be discussed and developed face to face or the Zoom or teams platforms we are all now familair with. I suggest getting the backing of the dental plan company which could sponsor the meetings.