For growing dental practices, it’s useful to implement equipment which supports each area of your practice and the services your team provides. This requires consideration of collaboration and communication amongst your team, including referring dentists and dental lab technicians. Flexibility in dental workflows allows clinicians to more effectively meet patient needs, with cooperation between dental professionals and excellent communication vital to allow this. Practices should explore the ways in which workflow flexibility can be achieved, and the effects that this might have on outcomes.
Collaborative dental care
Collaboration in dental care can offer a wide range of benefits, both for patients and the dental team. Patients can expect a higher standard of care, with better treatment outcomes, thanks to the contribution of a range of perspectives which may inform differing treatment options. Further to this, a collaborative approach between dental team members may help with earlier detection of oral health issues. This is particularly pertinent in an interdisciplinary team including a periodontist, endodontist, and orthodontist, for example. This mix of skills working together on various cases enables dynamic treatment planning, for the right options for each patient.[i]
Further to this, clinicians can benefit from a collaborative approach to patient care. Sharing the workload with dental colleagues can help to improve work-life balance.[ii] Additionally, colleagues that work alongside each other consistently can keep their counterparts up-to-date with new research and techniques – through frequent connection.[iii] Dental professionals that focus on differing aspects of care may also be able to introduce ideas and findings that other clinicians would not otherwise be exposed to. With this sort of collaborative environment, dental teams can also expect improved workplace dynamics. This energetic environment can help to inspire increased team participation, helping the entire dental team to enhance their roles in patient education, and further their careers.
Cost and time-efficiency in practice
With a dental practice working together, it’s important to maximise cost and time efficiency for the best outcomes. It is important that these aims do not infringe on the quality of patient care, so there are a number of things clinicians might consider to meet their aims.
Communication is one of the most effective ways to improve efficiency in the practice. This is both true amongst clinicians, and with patients, when individuals listen attentively, use clear language, and take the time to ask and answer questions. Clear communication makes collaboration possible, and ensures that patients gain a full understanding of their clinical situation and any treatments that they may need. The use of visual aids is also very helpful for relaying information with everybody in a dental setting, whether for planning treatment in an interdisciplinary team, or explaining upcoming care to a patient.[iv]
Ensuring that treatment rooms are equipped specifically for versatile functionality and efficient time management is essential. Consistency across the practice is also helpful, optimising the services provided. Technology is a key part of this, as modern technology is created with the aim to meet practice needs, the requirements of the team, and patient expectations. A structured, consistent, and optimised patient experience from start to finish will ensure they are satisfied with their care, and technology can help to support this, with innovations boosting efficiency in practice.[v]
Equipment to support the team
With this in mind, utilising effective equipment solutions in the dental practice enables clinicians to uphold the highest standards of care, while also maximising the potential of the dental team and the services they provide. Certain pieces of imaging equipment, such as intraoral scanners for example, provide flexibility in the dental practice. These systems are able to take impressions more quickly than traditional impression material, and with less mess and material expense. Information can then be instantly shared digitally with other clinicians or dental technicians, optimising the speed of treatment workflows. As such, they can be a great addition to dental practices who are looking to improve efficiency and enhance communication with patients, team members, and external collaborators.
The Dentsply Sirona Primescan 2, available from Clark Dental, is a fantastic option for dental practices. The system is cloud based, making it easy to share digital impression with dental lab technicians, and communicate treatment needs with patients. Primescan 2 can complete a full arch scan in less than one minute – and is immediately ready to scan again – minimising chair time for patients, and allowing for a fast-handover within the practice, increasing the devices availability.
With the freedom to collaborate with colleagues, and communicate effectively with patients using visual aids, clinicians are able to offer a more patient focused approach to care and, ultimately, achieve improved outcomes.
For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk
[i] Cardenas, Kaitlyn et al. “Partnering for Integrated Care: A Learning Collaborative for Primary Care and Oral Health Teams.” Annals of family medicine vol. 21,Suppl 2 (2023): S22-S30. doi:10.1370/afm.2918
[ii] https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/building-dental-teams-supporting-the-use-of-skill-mix-in-nhs-general-dental-practice-long-guidance/
[iii] https://www.the-dentist.co.uk/content/news/the-importance-of-community-and-collaboration/
[iv] Ho, Jasmine Cheuk Ying et al. “Strategies for Effective Dentist-Patient Communication: A Literature Review.” Patient preference and adherence vol. 18 1385-1394. 1 Jul. 2024, doi:10.2147/PPA.S465221
[v] https://www.groupdentistrynow.com/dso-group-blog/achieving-practice-efficiency-with-multi-disciplinary-care-teams-2
