The Secrets To an Exceptional Patient Experience

Many dental practice owners believe that the secret to providing the best patient care is to focus on the patient. Indeed, catering to patient needs can often be effective. However, you may be surprised to learn that one of the most effective ways to create a better patient experience is by learning to better support your office team.

A well-supported dental practice team is essential for crafting a stress-free patient experience. When team members are satisfied at their jobs and feel like their work matters, they are more likely to go above and beyond for patients. 

In other words, treating your team well gives them the intrinsic motivation to treat patients well. Here are a few ways to help you create this positive dynamic in your practice.

Provide adequate training and resources.

One of the keys to creating a stress-free patient experience is ensuring that you have a knowledgeable, well-equipped team. It’s challenging to deliver good care if your team doesn’t have the proper training and tools to do their jobs effectively. 

This lack of training and resources then contributes to employee stress, which can in turn create tension for the patient. A team of people who know they have what it takes to get the job done comes across as much more confident to patients. This leads to smoother interactions and trust-building at every turn.

Encourage team communication and collaboration.

Taking care of a high volume of patients requires a strong team effort. When the team doesn’t collaborate well, the patient ultimately suffers. If your team is walking on eggshells with each other, they’re less likely to share information and ideas that can solve problems and ensure greater success with patient treatment plans. 

Remember that you are responsible for fostering an environment that encourages open communication with dental practice leadership and colleagues alike. This not only helps patients receive better care but also reduces mental and emotional stress for the team—especially on challenging days.

Offer stress-management support.

In some cases, your team may feel that you expect them to have it all together all the time. It is often stressful for people to try to project a sense of calm when they are truly stressed on the inside. One way to help them learn to release these negative feelings is by providing them with support in the form of stress management and wellness programs.

Through these resources, your employees will learn effective tactics to deal with tense moments so they can stay focused on patient needs. As they learn to keep calm even when they’re overwhelmed, they’ll have the tools to provide a much better patient experience.

Create a positive work culture.

A positive and supportive dental practice culture motivates employees to do their best. When employee morale is high, your team is more likely to be confident, perform well, and see value in what they do. These positive feelings will dominate your team’s interactions with patients, which can make patients feel more welcome in your practice.

To create a positive culture, it’s important that you give your team timely, regular, and authentic praise and recognition for their achievements and contributions. Additionally, you should consider promoting work-life balance by allowing for flexible scheduling, encouraging breaks, and offering adequate time off.

Maintain clear patient communication.

Frequent misunderstandings with patients can create significant stress for the team as they scramble to find the right information and rectify any problems. Conversely, a well-supported and well-trained team has the knowledge and tools to communicate clearly and effectively with patients.

When your patients clearly understand what to expect regarding their treatment plans, procedure costs, and timelines, they may feel less anxiety during treatment and walk away more satisfied. This further reduces strain and tension within the team, as everyone can feel good about the experiences they’re providing.

To support your team in this, make sure that you’re keeping patients informed at every turn. They should know what to expect from the very first appointment to the end of their last procedure.

Advocate for those who serve your patients.

As a practice owner, it’s crucial that you take care of those who care for your patients. You can do this by creating a positive work culture and helping your team learn ways to reduce stress. 

You should also encourage effective communication and problem-solving, both with patients and among the team. These tactics promote a calm and efficient environment, which positively impacts the patient experience.

One of the best ways to support your team while improving your practice and ensuring a stress-free patient experience is by providing ongoing training opportunities. This lets them know that you are invested in their success and champion their desire to learn advanced skills to better serve patients.

The American Orthodontic Society offers the training resources you need to introduce your team to new skills. We offer continuing education for dentists that reflects the excellence with which you wish to serve your team. Contact us today to learn more about our courses and how we can help you and your team develop new expertise.