Show Someone You Care

We see patients daily in a professional setting and take care of the needs of their mouth, but do we take the time to listen to what's going on in their lives or see how they are feeling after they have had treatment in our office? Making a quick phone call during down-time or sending a card to a patient really makes them feel good and let's them know you care. 

Here are just a few ideas on how to take your patient care to the next level:

1. Make a call to a patient 2 days before a lengthy appointment-

• prepare them for what will take place
• ask them to wear comfortable clothing
• tell them to eat something before the appointment
• have them bring an I-Pod (if you do not provide one)

This call helps to put them at ease and not stress so much the night before.

   2. Call the same patient after that long appointment or the next

       day to see how they are feeling.

   3. After scaling/root planing-call patient to see how they are feeling and

       stress the need for the re-eval appointment and review oral hygiene

       instructions.

   4. If the patient has lost a loved one in death, had a baby, had surgery, etc.

      Send them a card signed by all the staff members.

   5. If the patient had to be referred out of the office for a root canal

      or extraction-call them 1-2 days later and see how they are feeling.

These are just a few ways to show your patients you care. Rather than viewing this as just another thing you have to try to fit into your busy day "share the love"-this is an activity that the whole staff can share in.  

Welcome to the "Real World"

Congratulations Gina on completing 120 hours of didactic in-classroom training and achieving a 4.0 GPA in the expanded functions dental assisting program! She will now perform 80 hours of clinical externship in our office under the supervision of Dr. Lori Cockley. Gina will have the opportunity to apply her skills on "real" patients instead of her typodont model. She is excited and nervous but ready to take on a new challenge. Look for future posts about her experiences in the weeks to come.