Be proactive in putting patients at ease.

For any dental practice, it is vital to build patient trust as a part of creating a strong and lasting business. Demonstrating expertise is a good way to create trust in patients. For general dentists, orthodontics and other specialties can be an asset to the practice. Patients feel secure in a practice that can offer them a comprehensive range of treatments. Here are a few more tips to help you build patient trust in your dental practice.

1. Listen to Patients

Listening to patients is a key skill for any healthcare provider. One good way to show that you are listening is to repeat back to patients what you are hearing them say. This technique, known as paraphrasing, is a form of active listening. Another great technique is summarizing, which means concisely reiterating the main points of a discussion at the end.

As well as demonstrating your attention, active listening also gives the patient a chance to correct any miscommunication and therefore ensure that you have the right information. Active listening helps the patient feel that you have listened carefully to what they have to say and can help build patient trust.

2. Explain Treatments and Reasons

Many dental consultations result in the patient needing some form of treatment, whether it’s a simple cavity filling or something more involved like a root canal. As a dentist, it is easy to assume that everyone knows what those treatments are and why they are needed, but it’s important to remember that not all patients have extensive knowledge of dental healthcare. 

The best practice for dentists is to explain every treatment and your reasons for recommending it. In this way, patients can understand why a treatment is necessary and what the consequences could be of not having the treatment. When patients fully understand their treatments, they are more likely to feel happy with them and to trust you as their dentist.

3. Communicate the Science

Patients like to know that their dental treatments are backed up by science. While you don’t want to bombard patients with technical sources, explaining the science behind treatments in simple terms can be a good way to build patient trust. Take the time to practice explaining scientific concepts in a simple way that patients can take in.

4. Discuss the Benefits of Technology

Many dental offices are full of technology, which can seem quite baffling to the average patient. Explaining the benefits of the technology can help to build patient trust and make their experience of the technology less intimidating. You don’t need to go into detail of how the technology works—unless the patient is particularly interested!—simply explaining the main benefit of each technology you use is enough.

5. Protect Patient Confidentiality

All healthcare providers are legally required to keep their patients’ medical data confidential, and it is important to take this responsibility seriously. Be sure to put clear policies in place regarding the handling of patient data. For example, patients should be able to discuss their issues in private, without other patients overhearing. Records should be accurate, up to date, and stored securely. Train all staff to respect these policies and check regularly that all guidelines are being followed.

6. Provide a Portfolio for Orthodontics and Cosmetics

If your patient is undergoing restorative, cosmetic, or orthodontic care, they will want to know what results to expect at the end of the treatment. Providing a portfolio can help to manage patient expectations and motivate them to keep up with the treatment. Photographs can provide patients with the reassurance they need that their treatment will be worthwhile much more effectively than conversations or written material.

For a general dentist, orthodontics training can massively increase your chances to make patients happy with their smiles. The more patients you treat, the more opportunities you have to expand your portfolio. Continuously build up your portfolio to showcase the results that modern orthodontic, cosmetic, and restorative treatments can provide.

7. Advance Your Education

All dentists should continue to advance their education and services. Further education and training means that you can meet your patients’ needs in a comprehensive way, both now and in the future.

When you can offer specialist services as a general dentist, such as orthodontics, it is likely that patients will start to see you as their go-to practitioner. Patients love being able to have all their dental needs met in a single practice, as they value both convenience and continuity of care.

You can set out to become the go-to dental provider for your local community by investing in education and expanding your services. This is a great way to ensure the long-term success of your dental practice.

Synergy Orthodontic Seminars provides comprehensive orthodontic training for dentists. 

Are you interested in finding out more about general dentist orthodontics training? Synergy Orthodontic Seminars can give you the opportunity to learn from industry-leading experts. Contact us today to get all the information you need.