Find a referral practice on the same page as you, to boost business and oral health

  Posted by: Dental Design      26th November 2022

Quality care is appropriate care and this is why, sometimes, referring out to another dentist who has the training, knowledge and expertise required to deliver a successful result is the correct course of action.

Teamwork is also critical to good clinical outcomes and referrals are an easy way to extend your team, if a treatment is outside your scope of practice. When you put effort into finding the perfect referral practice for you – and not just any one – the benefits will be endless. If you’re on the same page, share the same values and know how each other works, the process will be smooth and hassle-free for everyone involved. Communication will be clear too. All of the above can minimise delays and complications – crucial if someone has presented in pain.

Establishing a productive relationship with a referral practice will enable you to deliver a gold-standard, patient-focussed service. People will feel reassured, knowing that you want them to receive the very best, and that you will support them with keeping the result beautifully maintained for years to come. Healthy, motivated patients, who are enjoying a better quality of life and improved wellbeing will always be your most powerful marketing tool.

If you’re a general practice who is proud of what you do, and have no plans to expand your in-house services, referring out for complex work is an ideal solution. Dental implants, for example, are becoming more popular as a highly-desirable alternative to removable prostheses. They look natural, function just like real teeth and, when delivered by a trained and skilled specialist, have an excellent prognosis which more than justifies the investment.

From planning to delivery and ongoing maintenance, successful implant treatment requires a brilliant implant team. Included in this team – and this is not a definitive list, because it will depend on each case – will be the general dentist, the implant dentist/specialist, dental hygienist and/or therapist, dental nurse, practice manager, referrals coordinator; all talented and trained people from both the referring and referral practice working as one to provide an exceptional standard of care. With this collaborative approach, each patient will be supported every step of the way. They will know they are in great hands, and feel confident and well-informed about the risks, and understand their critical role in keeping their treatment stable. Dental implants aren’t a “place and go” solution to a missing tooth or teeth, they require an ongoing commitment to good oral hygiene practises and behaviours – a key reason why the extended implant team is crucial for the best chance of long-term success.

With an established relationship with a referral practice that offers dental implants, you will be ready to go as soon as someone says “yes”, with shorter waiting times – another selling point for patients considering their options. A further bonus of referring out is that you can also take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities that implant practices often offer. Digital workflows have revolutionised implant treatments, streamlining communication as well the actual delivery, yet the initial financial outlay required to instal these cutting-edge technologies can sometimes put them out of reach. General dentists who don’t have the resources, including the space, to invest can take advantage of what referral practices have on-site, to give patients a comfortable and efficient experience.

The scenario to aspire to, is to find a referral practice who wants to work in a genuinely collaborative way and learn with you on every implant case, sharing resources as well as knowledge and expertise. Some practices even offer their referring dentists valuable opportunities to develop their own skills and knowledge, by attending their patients’ appointments. Lodge Dental, an award-winning practice in South Wales, has a mentoring scheme for general dentists who wish to share the treatment plan. Accepting referrals from all over the country, Lodge Dental’s extensive team includes an implant dentist and a specialist in oral surgery to provide advanced treatments. With a dedicated referrals coordinator alongside the clinical team, plus cutting-edge digital technologies on site, the process will be seamless, safe, efficient and comfortable. Your happy patients will be returned to good health, ready to smile again with confidence.

Even experienced dentists will need to refer out in certain cases, and by deciding to refer, you are extending your team to enable the highest-quality care. Find a referral practice that shares your values, and it will help you uphold them – as a business, you will both become stronger, more productive and profitable thanks to your mutually beneficial relationship.

Dental implant treatments have the highest chance of success when they are delivered by a trained, skilled and experienced implant dentist, who has access to the latest technologies and equipment at their practice. Refer out and you can combine this expertise with the talents and knowledge of your own team. The result will be that you can help more patients comprehensively, raise standards of oral health, elevate your service and boost your reputation.

For further information, please contact Jo on 01873 854711 or referrals@lodgedental.co.uk, or visit lodgedental.co.uk/referrals