The untapped power of the dental team

A look ahead to the ADI Team Congress.

Challenges for the dental team continue to present for a myriad of reasons. Patient knowledge and understanding have become more discerning due to the rise of social media, but this can often bring with it unrealistic standards that must be expertly managed. An ageing population has made patient demands more complex, also introducing a host of new considerations for dental professionals.

In light of this, utilising the dental team effectively has never been more important. This includes developing clinical skills and delegating responsibilities for certain treatments, where possible. Dental implantology, for example, requires skills that span across several dental disciplines. From the clinician to the dental nurse, dental hygienist/therapist and dental technician, there are numerous roles and duties that must be shared to ensure a successful outcome in dental implant therapy.

Implant dentistry – how can it impact the dental team?

Dental implantology has unsurprisingly become a patient preference, not only for older people but for a range of adult patients from various walks of life. As such, clinicians are faced with dynamic patient needs that require a holistic approach to care. The whole dental team can be utilised to ensure patients are receiving the care they deserve. When the dental team possess additional skill sets, they can supplement the clinician’s work through reiteration of oral health advice, for example, which would contribute towards patient satisfaction and good oral health. If it falls within their scope of practice, certain team members can also take responsibility for particular clinical tasks, such as those involved in oral hygiene and dental implant maintenance.