Many people feel anxious whenever they visit a dentist. Even though they come in for a regular checkup, they still feel uneasy. The pandemic only worsened the situation since people are now apprehensive due to the continuing threat of the virus.
While many states lifted the restrictions they imposed when the health crisis started, dentists still need to make it a pleasant experience when patients visit their clinic. Making the visit pleasant can help ease any concerns that patients may have about getting a checkup. It may also lead to a relaxing visit for the patients who will likely come for more visits in the future.
Here are some tips to make dental consultations pleasant for patients.
Make a Good First Impression
Giving patients a good dental experience starts with their first impression of the clinic. So, the dentist and his staff must make the entrance appealing to the patient. They should also be friendly and make the waiting room comfortable for the patient. A humid and uncomfortable waiting can only add to the unease of the patient, who might decide to leave even before the dentist sees them.
Additionally, the dental staff should also have a pleasant voice when answer phone calls from patients. The first impression starts from the initial contact with the patient, which happens when the patient sets an appointment with the dentist. So, the staff should have a positive mindset and work with the patient to find a suitable schedule for his dental appointment.
And with the pandemic still ongoing, the clinic should implement precautionary measures against the virus. These measures include physical barriers to limit close contact between patients, hand sanitizers at the entrance, and the dentist should wear personal protection equipment (PPE) to prevent the spread of the virus.
Get to Know the Patients
In the past, dental clinics were impersonal and tended to herd the patients through their appointments. In this situation, the patients do not feel welcome and might not return for a second visit. With this in mind, dentists should take time to get to know their patients and talk with them.
Instead of treating them as just another patient, dentists can connect with them and ask how they cope with the pandemic. They can even ask about a recent family vacation or how they are doing with their new position in their company.
When patients see that their dentists are sincere about their well-being, they will likely feel comfortable visiting the clinic. It also creates a loyal connection with the dentist, whom they can consider a friend rather than simply a person who takes care of their dental health.
Provide a Tour
Dentists make sure they have the latest equipment available in the market in their clinics. They also try to make it as comfortable as they can for themselves and their patients. But the patients have no idea about this. So, it’s a good idea for the dentist to provide a facility tour for his patients.
When they have a new patient on their list, they can give them a walk-through of the clinic and introduce them to the clinic’s staff. They should demonstrate to their patient that they are approachable and are sincere about helping them. When people are familiar with a place, they feel comfortable and relaxed.
The dentist can also show the latest innovations he is using in his practice. He can also show how 3D printing in dentistry settings has made things easier for the dentist to create a customized appliance. He can explain that the technology has made the entire process faster and easier since they do not have to create the impressions manually anymore.
Organize the Patient Flow
With the pandemic, dentists have to limit the number of people in the clinic to prevent the transmission of the virus. With this, the dentist should make the office layout safe for the patients and staff to stay in. The layout should also make it easy for everyone to move around without worrying about spreading the virus.
The dentist can also streamline the dental process by making it hassle-free. He can accept online appointments and provide patients with reminders to ensure they do not forget about their appointments. Dentists can also make sure that the patients know what to expect when they arrive at the clinic.
For instance, the staff should inform first-time patients about what they need to bring for their visit. They can also facilitate the collection of necessary information by making the forms available online.
Visiting the dentist’s clinic can be more pleasant when dentists implement simple yet effective strategies to ease their patients’ concerns when they drop by for a checkup.
