Posted by: Dental Design 9th May 2021
Reducing chair time benefits practice, practitioner and patient
‘Reduced chair time’ is often mentioned as a benefit of a dental material, tool, or treatment. But why is this given as a reason for a patient to say yes? In non-practice life, we say it’s better to take time on something that demands care and attention to detail. Important tasks aren’t meant to be rushed, as rushing can compromise a successful result.
But reduced chair time doesn’t mean dentistry delivered faster, rather, more efficiently.
To be efficient is to have the ability to do something well, without wasting resources, including time and money. Efficient dentistry means less chair time, but also treatment that achieves its aim, represents good value and endures. If a patient has to return for an adjustment or remake, this will affect their satisfaction and word of mouth has never been more powerful, to encourage interest from people who have heard great things about you. Even long-term patients’ loyalties have been tested for some time now, thanks in part to the internet, empowering them in the awareness of choice.
One impact of the pandemic is that many patients will feel nervous about visiting the dentist because they are worried about infection control. These fears will be unfounded of course, and ever since practices reopened, teams have been working hard to reassure anyone who attends a physical appointment that they will be safe. But for any patient with concerns, when you offer reduced chair time for treatment, you can tell them they’ll be in and out quickly, with no compromise to the quality of their experience.
Reduced chair time also benefits anyone with anxiety and/or phobia, which has affected patients since dentistry began. Despite all the incredible advances that have changed how treatment is delivered, people will always be fearful of the dentist; the many reasons for this range from a bad childhood experience still buried in their adult psyche, to feeling nervous about a specific procedure. Even someone who isn’t usually anxious might suddenly find themselves feeling panicked, and verbal communication with the dentist will now be hindered by enhanced PPE. Solutions to help phobic patients will have needed some tweaking post-Covid; previously, you may have suggested they come along accompanied by a supportive friend or family member, for example. But distraction techniques, like music, or a pre-agreed signal to take a break, such as raising a hand, can also be effective, alongside efficiently delivered treatment which means they won’t need to spend a minute longer than is necessary in the surgery. With the right tools, techniques and materials, certain treatments can even be wrapped up successfully in a single appointment which is a huge selling point for anyone with any level of dental anxiety.
Doing something in less time will save patients money, but the better-value benefit extends to the practice, too. Reducing chair time can enable your practice to be more productive, to schedule in more people – that’s allowing for enhanced deep cleaning between appointments. A productive practice is also a less-stressful place to work and anything that can be done to mitigate sources of stress for the dental team is definitely a bonus. Professional stress in dentistry has long been a discussion point, but smooth workflows, which allows teams and individuals to operate at optimal efficiency, will support a calm, orderly environment.[i] Physical discomfort is another source of workplace-related stress for dental professionals, who are at high risk of back and neck pain due to poor posture.[ii] When chair time can be reduced, this is a significant asset for practitioners’ physical health.
A productive practice is a profitable one too and healthy margins can also be supported with materials that are efficient and cost-effective. In fact, material selection is the key to reduced chair time because the right solutions bridge the gap between technique and successful outcomes. So, source restorative materials that can be used for multiple indications and minimise the risk of remakes by giving a precise fit, first time. For efficient restorations, and available from J&S Davis, is Unica anterior, part of the Polydentia portfolio. Unica offers a matrix solution to optimise outcomes of Class III, IV and V restorations, as well as direct composite veneers and shape modifications. Its shape enables the restoration of proximal and cervical margins in one go and special placement wings further encourage efficient matrix positioning, to save time as well as minimising the risk of error.
Successful practices will have a reputation for delivering efficient, enduring treatment in a safe and comfortable environment. This is what patients want – a positive experience and good value, with no need for frustrating re-visits because success wasn’t achieved the first time around. With careful material selection, which will elevate your technique as well as the practice’s productivity, chair time can be reduced with no compromise to a beautiful, functional and lasting end result.
For more information on the industry-leading products available from J&S Davis, visit www.js-davis.co.uk, call 01438 747 344 or email jsdsales@js-davis.co.uk
Steve Brown Director of Sales and Marketing J&S Davis Ltd
[i] More than half of dentists say stress is affecting their practice. Br Dent J 226, 7 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2019.18
[ii] Gaowgzeh RA, Chevidikunnan MF, Al Saif A, El-Gendy S, Karrouf G, Al Senany S. Prevalence of and risk factors for low back pain among dentists. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2015; 27 (9): 2803-6.
