In every visit to the dentist, you receive two kinds of treatment: dental care and patient experience. Both are an important part of your health care.
You are the gatekeeper to your best dental health. You know what feels wrong, hurts or is worth a question. You decide when to visit the dentist and how regular you keep up with your professional cleaning and health screenings. If you aren’t participating, how can you get the best care? All of these are reasons why it’s important for you to feel comfortable and connected in your dental appointments. It’s why a good patient experience is vitally important to the dental visit.
When patients don’t feel welcome at a dentist’s office, they act quiet and withdraw. When dental staff is not attentive, it can give the impression they are not caring. This affects communication with patients, which in turn affects the level of care. Just like every other business, some dental offices function better than others.
It’s not an accident or a matter of luck. Organizations like the American Dental Association organize and distribute practice management resources to member dentists with the goal of making the patient experience the best it can be! Our member dentists know that when you are engaged, the gatekeeper is removed and detailed communication about your dental health can occur. This leads to the best care possible.
ADA members have access to resources on managing a dental practice and a dental staff. These resources impact hiring, training and management decisions that lead to a better patient experience.