For Secure Communications Outside* the office and Effective Communications Inside the Office Intra-office communication is the most undervalued way to increase production and elevate quality of care.
Patients’ lives are busier than ever. Therefore, patients are looking for efficiency in their treatments. Practices which have incorporated “same day dentistry” – the concept of having extra capacity and doing what it takes to get treatment done the same day – have been shown to have an increase in office production of more than 30%.
To illustrate this workflow and how it successfully incorporates “same day dentistry,” imagine a patient, Doug, in for his routine prophylaxis. Doug broke tooth #3 a week ago and requires a crown for predictable restoration. Mary, the hygienist of 25 years, clearly recognizes this will most likely be the recommended treatment plan. Mary can, in one single message:
- Obtain necessary financial arrangements from the front desk.
- Inform the dentist that pulp testing and a crown is likely going to be their recommendation.
- Inform the team the patient would like to stay if there is an opening in the schedule.
- Alert an assistant to get a room ready for the same day crown.
The simple messaging continues with other members of the team, as:
- The dentist, who is currently in a meeting, can
respond to the team immediately. - The dentist can then page the assistant whom they
would like to assist them in the procedure.
Communicating an anticipated treatment checklist by auxiliaries to the dentist prior to them engaging the patient can act like rocket fuel to “same day dentistry” and case acceptance. By having immediate and organized communication, staff can control the flow within the practice and increase the patient’s value of our services. Using custom checklist messaging, the practitioner can receive vital, pertinent information in a consistent order every time they are preparing to see a patient. Therefore, the dentist can enter the room already having a solution to the patient’s problem.
It sounds like a simple change because it really is that simple. But the impact on treatment planning and case acceptance is phenomenal.
Patients are happier because their needs are met immediately and concisely; Staff are happier because they are able to work without interruption, messaging only when ready and needed; Dentists are happier because they know everything happening in the office without having to check on people. For more about OperaDDS go to www.OperaDDS.com.
* “Opera Chorus” has fully HIPAA compliant email