What makes a dentist great? This is a question that dentists and patients usually approach differently. One clinician can admire another for their expertise, technique and consistent results. Patients on the other hand don't have the context to judge things this way. Patients don't walk around with mirrors in their pockets so they can admire and show off their dentist's precise margins, so they tend to take a more emotional approach to evaluating your value.
They can still sense clinical excellence by recognizing the way you and the staff talk about dentistry, viewing the credentials on your walls and looking at the quality of the smiles of you and your team. But other factors are also important. For the most part, when a patient says, "My dentist is great," they are usually talking about the feeling they get from visiting the practice – and this breaks down into four main components:
- The first call really establishes the tone. It's how their questions are answered and how the right expectations are set. They get a sense right away that this is not just any dental practice.
- The environment reinforces the, "I'm in the right place" feeling. An up-to-date, esthetically pleasing facility with the right equipment and technology speaks volumes about the practice. Patients pick up on what they see and hear in subtle and profound ways.
- The level of engagement they get from the team is all about that personal touch that makes people feel at home. It's not enough just to be efficient – people respond to those who show a genuine interest in their well-being. Quality caring must go hand-in-hand with quality care.
- Being comprehensive in the operatory is something all patients respect in a dentist. One of the main complaints people have with their experience with all kinds of health providers is that they often "feel like a number." Patients can feel as though the practitioner is rushing through the paces to get to the next patient.
This is why a big focus of the Spear Facially Generated Treatment Planning workshop is about taking the time to be comprehensive with each diagnosis. It's not just about delivering better clinical care, it's about engaging with patients at a deeper level so that they understand you're delivering better clinical care. By the time you take the six pictures that necessary and lead your patient on a comprehensive four-part tour of their mouth, you'll have become partners in their oral health. You will provide all the information and guidance they need to make informed decisions. When all of this comes together, you'll have established yourself in the patient's mind as a great dentist.