Fragmented and disconnected workflows cost the dental practice dearly. Not only do they hinder productivity among the team, but they can also influence the patient experience, reducing the quality of their care and affecting their satisfaction with treatment. Both of these elements impact the bottom line, ultimately preventing the business from thriving.
When assessing your workflows to identify inefficiencies, it’s necessary to consider three aspects – the people, the processes, and the technology. Does the team have sufficient knowledge, experience, and confidence to fulfil their roles? Are the protocols in place designed to support practice compliance, streamline workflows, and optimise patient care? Are your technologies fit for purpose, operating smoothly, and well-integrated into daily routines? An issue in any one of these areas will slow the practice down, and can have a knock-on effect into other workflows, leaving your care consistently one step behind.
Connection and efficiency
The practice can only operate as a well-oiled machine when the people within it have the necessary skills and confidence to perform daily tasks effectively. This means that all team members require training and support to understand their roles and perform them in the right way, at the right time.
Ongoing clinical education is a staple for all dental professionals, ensuring they remain up to date with the latest research and evidence in their respective fields. This training should be applied beyond any clinical remits in order to build a well-rounded and strong professional team. Topics like patient communication and engagement are just as important as the latest clinical techniques, and create a well-rounded experience for visitors to the practice.
In addition, individuals should receive comprehensive training when they join the practice to make sure that they understand in-house processes. Infection control protocols, patient communication guidelines, equipment operation, and surgery setup should all be included. These ensure that all team members adhere to the required quality standards while working in a coherent way that avoids miscommunication and disconnected workflows throughout each patient’s journey.
In the same way, clear communication between the practice and the lab is integral to streamlined workflows and efficient patient treatment timelines. The inadequate exchange of information or any kind of breakdown in this working relationship will lead to treatment delays and inconvenience for both professionals and patients alike.
Technological integration
Another essential piece of the puzzle is the technology implemented in the practice. Not only must the right equipment be chosen that will meet the needs of your patients and your business, but all solutions must also connect seamlessly and work well together. This streamlines treatment times, and makes digital workflows intuitive.
For example, you’ll need to consider whether the images captured by your intraoral scanner or CBCT imaging unit can be easily uploaded to your treatment planning and design software of choice. It’s important to check whether the file types are compatible or if changes to the datasets are required, as this can alter the image resolution or quality. If you use in-house milling or 3D printing, you’ll also need to ensure that the design files you produce are accepted by the equipment you select to fabricate your restorations or appliances.
Achieving this interconnectivity can be challenging when you use a mixture of different equipment and brands. Those that operate as closed systems will not connect with other solutions, which will restrict your choices when looking to upgrade or add to your technological capabilities. This could also have financial implications if the brand you select decides to raise their prices or if they discontinue any part of their services moving forward. Choosing an open system, therefore, affords many advantages for the forward-thinking practice.
To facilitate this digital integration, leading providers like Carestream Dental offer the innovative IO Scanner Link with their programmes. It’s an option solution that enables clinicians to connect CS Imaging software directly to their impression scanner of choice. Patient data is automatically transferred to the IOS programme when scans are initiated in CS Imaging software, and data is imported straight back into CS Imaging for a seamless workflow from start to finish.
Seamless dentistry
With a well-trained and confident team, effective processes, and open system technology, you can elevate connectivity of every part of your practice. The result will be seamless workflows that improve daily life in practice for staff and optimise the patient experience. Considering the readiness of your team and the compatibility of your equipment now will ensure your business is ready for whatever the future holds.
For more information on Carestream Dental visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk
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Author: Nimisha Nariapara
