Education for the team is how you can facilitate the delivery of world-class care

  Posted by: Dental Design      20th February 2023

Whether you’ve been in dentistry for 12 years or two, you’ll know that the industry has changed, and fast. Gold-standard treatment is not always enough by itself, and a successful dental team today often has a skillset more varied and diverse than ever before.

For example, a truly great dentist won’t just be a technically able and knowledgeable clinician. They will also be a brilliant communicator, who can engage with people of all circumstances and build relationships with them. They’ll be a leader, but will know the importance of teamwork. Similarly, a thriving dental practice will be a business structured in such a way to optimise the delivery of high-quality care. All those who work there will be motivated, and keen to further their careers.

All about the team

The concept of “team” is central in contemporary dentistry and much of this is due to the shift towards a patient-focused approach. Patients are now active participants in their treatment journey; they know they have the power to say “no”, to go somewhere else or request a different clinician. As such, ensuring they have the best experience means considering what happens before and after – not just when – they’re sat in the dentist’s chair. Do they feel well-looked after, with compassion and respect? Do they have all the information they need, including details about costs and follow-ups? Do they understand their role in keeping their treatment stable and beautifully maintained?

Education and training is one way to improve the patient’s journey. It can give the team both the ability and the confidence to do more, and also enable existing staff to take on new roles which support better outcomes. Introducing a treatment coordinator, for example, has been found to be an efficient way to streamline processes, reduce the burden of non-clinical work on dentists and DCPs, and improve relationships with patients because it is their job to really get to know them. With a treatment coordinator there is a point of contact for queries or concerns who can reassure every patient there is no question too small – or big! They can promote better education too, as well as increased treatment acceptance and completion

Continuing clinical education

Or, you may consider further education for your clinicians. Not just in new techniques and advanced applications, but also to give them a deeper understanding of the business side of dentistry. A new dentist or DCP won’t have had much grounding in this areas as part of their degree or training, but even experienced practitioners will benefit from learning about how to maximise profit and growth in a challenging market. This may include learning how to “sell” treatment better, or how to use virtual consultations. It can be tempting to think “I must do this, or implement that” to stay ahead, but often the answer is to utilise the talents you already have, rather than make wholesale, and potentially disruptive, changes.

When your practice is an advocate of quality education, you will gain a reputation for being a great place to work. This circles back to the challenges of recruitment and retention at a time when, anecdotally, many dental professionals are feeling overwhelmed. No matter how long they’ve been in the profession, education can reconnect them to the reasons why 20they chose dentistry in the first place. It can enable them to find fulfilment despite the tough days because it is ultimately giving them the skills and/or knowledge to care for people better.

If you are considering such options, the Straumann Group has partnered with some of the UK’s top educators and training providers to offer CPD and skill progression for all members of the dental team. With courses focused on business development and the role of the treatment coordinator, as well as learning concentrated on treatment segments like dental implantology and orthodontics, plus advanced MSc-level training, there will be something worth investing in for all.

With modern patients’ expectations sky-high, practices are having to raise their game, and go above and beyond to stay ahead of the competition. A successful modern practice must provide a high level of service for patients who are behaving more like consumers, and exercising their right to choose. It must also be a great place to work, in order to recruit and retain brilliant and talented people. Education is the bridge to help all members of the dental skill deepen their skills to elevate their service. It is a way to invest in people, so that they have both the ability and the confidence to do more. 

To find out more about training and education with the Straumann Group, visit https://straumanngroupcourses.com