The words “new normal” might suffer from overuse. But it certainly defines the increasing need for contactless dental technology solutions.
Re-opening has stirred up new realities for how you and your patients will interact around their dental care. Your standard of care must now make room for a few zero-contact systems.
Reduced physical contact around common, taken-for-granted processes can help ensure your patient’s safety and enable you to provide treatment with minimal workflow disruption.
Make safety a priority through contactless dental technology
Trite as may sound, it truly is the-little-things that make a difference in the COVID-19 era of dentistry. Your attention to those seemingly small details reassures your patients that you understand their concerns.
Their fears are legitimate. Data from the general healthcare sector confirms public caution.
”In a Morning Consult survey, only 18% of US adults admitted they’re comfortable eating at a restaurant or going on a vacation. It’s a figure that plummets for other everyday activities. So what about returning to healthcare facilities? Public Opinion Strategies and Jarrard released a study revealing only 13% of Americans plan to schedule a routine visit in their doctor’s office immediately.”
Long-term predictions reveal that many are undecided on when they’ll feel confident scheduling a routine or elective procedure.
”Only 21% of respondents said they’d schedule a routine visit in their doctor’s office or an elective procedure in a hospital in 4-6 months. Conclusively, the data as a whole indicates that Americans are split on returning to healthcare facilities.”
You should perhaps expect the same level of measured caution from patients about returning to your dental office.
Steps to implement contactless options and communicating the specifics reveals that you’re prioritizing their safety.
How contactless dental technology works to improve patient care
You can maintain workflow consistency through your standard of care and patient preference.
COVID-19 has created a renewed awareness of telehealth – including teledentistry. Virtual communication to discuss symptoms and provide initial diagnosis is now a more acceptable care option.
Many patients are growing more comfortable with a home-based consultation prior to scheduling a necessary appointment for the procedure.
This requires the need to adapt your patient care workflows to accommodate patient preference.
- Evaluate your current workflows in light of the increasing need for teledentistry. What changes are necessary? Is there new equipment or upgrades required?
- Empower your team and align their workflows to accommodate teledentistry opportunities.
- Engage your patients with new appointment options that includes teledentistry for consolations and initial diagnosis.
Contactless solutions will require more reliance on digital technology. It’s a worthwhile investment knowing that your patients can experience a perceived safer and seamless experience with your dental office.
You can maximize the convenience factor for your patients
No doubt, safety is now more front-of-mind. But convenience still remains a necessary aspect of your patient experience.
In fact, 80% of patient’s choose a healthcare provider based on convenience.
Contactless dental patient solutions provides both – a safe and convenient experience. Your patients will tend to expect a digital option for access to care.
- Maximize your patient’s time via electronic data solutions. It’s no longer…
