Dentistry is very much a people profession. As a dental professional, you are engaging with patients on a daily basis, helping them out of pain and providing health advice tailored to them. But you will interact with many other individuals through work in addition to your patients. These include practice colleagues, peers from further afield, mentors or mentees, tutors and instructors, lecturers, product suppliers and contract providers, to name just a few.
With all of these people, it is important to build relationships that will stand the test of time. Not only will this make your life easier, but it will also improve outcomes for your patients and your business.
Patient rapport
The importance of building rapport with patients is widely accepted in dentistry and across all healthcare sectors. Research has proven that clear and concise communication is key to delivering high-quality patient care. In particular, it is vital to facilitate open conversations that allow patients to discuss their oral health status and treatment recommendations honestly and without judgement. This is integral for patient engagement and informed consent.
A positive dentist-patient relationship has been shown to improve oral health status among patients. A person’s trust and confidence in their practitioner can have a noteworthy impact on whether they visit regularly and follow professional recommendations. These factors will also influence their decision to accept treatment, further affecting their oral and general health in the long-term.
Of course, a strong patient-dentist relationship is good for the dentist and the practice as well. When patients trust their dental team, they are more likely to remain loyal to the practice. Evidence shows that effective communication with patients promotes this loyalty to the practice in the long-term. This also has very positive implications for word-of-mouth referrals and recommendations, helping to promote the practice and boost its reputation.
Colleague relationships
It is just as important to establish and maintain connections with colleagues both within the practice and beyond.
Research has linked high-quality workplace relationships with lower occupational stress in the healthcare environment. Relationships between staff and their managers have a significant impact on individuals’ performances. For this to be achieved, it's crucial that trust is built up among colleagues – which often takes time and is based on good communication and collaboration.
There is also merit in peer group learning, which can be implemented to improve practice performance and support daily activities. This could take the form of team CPD sessions or days, in-house training for new technology or processes, or perhaps even a day out at a dental conference and exhibition.
Outside of the practice team, having a network of like-minded professionals to turn to provides access to support and advice on all manner of topics from challenging clinical cases to career development opportunities. Whether you’re looking for recommendations, guidance or ideas, having strong professional relationships with different people will provide an invaluable resource.
Industry connections
Just as important are your connections with members of the industry. Particularly for business owners, the product experts and equipment suppliers you work with will have a substantial impact on the quality and efficiency of your practice performance. Where you can build effective working relationships with your providers, you can get the very most from the services they offer. From bespoke advice on your next purchase to guidance on optimising the life of your existing technology, working closely with these professionals can have a massive impact on your business.
This is something that RPA Dental is renowned for doing well. The team is highly knowledgeable about both their products and the needs of the dental profession, tailoring their advice specifically to each customer’s unique situation. More than this, building a working relationship with them is more like starting a friendship. Their integrity and desire to help mean you will always get honest answers to your questions. What’s more, their service goes beyond the sale, and they will remain available for support for years to come, providing a truly invaluable asset to your professional network.
The power of people skills
Building effective working relationships with lots of different people requires its own set of skills. Among these, you’ll need to be able to confidently communicate, collaborate and listen to others, while also being flexible, respectful and open to new ideas. With the right mindset and approach, you will soon reap the many rewards. The relationships you build with patients, colleagues and industry professionals will be essential for the success of your own career and your practice.
References available on request.
For more information visit www.dental-equipment.co.uk