The benefits general practice orthodontics courses offer your practice are clear, but what about the benefits to your patients? 

By offering general practice orthodontics, dentists can increase their number of new patients and retain their existing ones. Many patients make decisions about where to receive care based on the following key factors.

Patients love comprehensive care!

Incorporating general practice orthodontics adds one more branch of treatment options to your practice. This makes you better able to fulfill the entire treatment needs of any given patient, attaining a level of comprehensive care that patients consider important when choosing a dentist.

Patients want to go to a dentist they already know and trust. Every time they are referred to a specialist for a specific issue – orthodontic or otherwise – they have to work with a new, unfamiliar doctor. This creates a lower-quality patient experience that can contribute to stress and other negative outcomes.

Moving between specialists also creates the potential for human error in the transfer and review of dental and medical records. Having to go over their medical history multiple times with different doctors impacts the patient experience, taking up precious time and effort that could be devoted to treatment instead.

The most comfortable and convenient arrangement for your patients is one in which they can access all of their treatment needs through a single practice. Whether they need general dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, or orthodontics, being able to work consistently with the same dentist improves the patient experience and treatment outcomes.

Resolve issues at the right time.

It’s common for patients to require more than one type of treatment to fully resolve their dental issues. A number of dental problems are risk factors for many other problems. For instance, a patient who needs a crown, bridge, or implant has a high chance of requiring orthodontic treatment for malocclusion as well.

However, the timing of these treatments is also an important factor in the success of the end results. Orthodontic treatment is generally best carried out before a tooth replacement or restoration procedure.

Tooth replacements like bridges and implants are custom-made and carefully planned for the position and shape of remaining natural teeth. Attempting orthodontic treatment to change the position of teeth after a bridge or implant has been put in place will likely require a new tooth replacement to fit the new position of the teeth.

If a patient does require orthodontic and other treatments, having access to GP orthodontics courses can help you greatly accelerate treatment. Instead of trying to refer a patient out to a specialist in the middle of treatment planning, the general dentist can provide effective treatment on their own.

Patients are more likely to follow recommendations.

In any field of medicine, the best treatment plan is one that the patient will actually follow. Most patients will take recommendations more seriously when they come from a dentist they already trust. This is true even when they’re referred to a specialist who has the necessary training but is unfamiliar to the patient.

By using GP orthodontic courses to provide more treatment options through their practice, dentists are better able to convince patients of the necessity of treatment. There are many cases where patients might not realize the impact that orthodontic treatment can have and would be unlikely to follow through on a consultation with an unfamiliar orthodontist.

Instead, they can discuss issues directly with their general dentist. The dentist can explain the impact that malocclusions can have on long-term health, including how they can contribute to tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, and other issues. Hearing this from a dentist the patient already knows can be more convincing and increase their likelihood of going through with treatment.

A Source of Comfort for Pediatric Patients

While all patients appreciate being able to work with a dentist they already know, this is an even more important factor for pediatric populations. Children often require orthodontic treatment as they grow, and a CE ortho course for general dentists can allow a practice offer some of those treatment options in-house.

Instead of having an intimidating experience at an unfamiliar orthodontist’s office, children can remain comfortable with the dentist who has been providing them with care from the beginning. That can make things a lot easier for the children and their parents.

Improve patient care with a CE ortho course for general dentists.

Pursuing continued education to add general practice orthodontics to your treatment options can have great benefits for both your practice and your patients. Synergy Orthodontic Seminars provides many course options to develop your skills and knowledge and implement orthodontic treatment at your practice. You can reach out today to find out more about our course options.