Utilizing a Treatment Coordinator in Your Dental Practice
For dental practices that offer more than just maintenance, including aesthetic and elective procedures, considering the inclusion of a treatment coordinator can be a game-changer. This piece sheds light on the significance of a treatment coordinator’s role and its potential impact on both patient relationships and case acceptance.
The treatment coordinator position is steadily gaining traction in UK dental practices. Many dentists recognize its importance but might be uncertain about its integration. Emma Jade offers a glimpse into how such a role can be effectively incorporated into your practice. Could you be the one to spearhead this initiative, fostering both personal and practice growth?
The fundamental objective of a treatment coordinator is to alleviate the dentist from 90% of non-clinical duties. This allows for an enhanced level of patient service, forging stronger relationships. This role revolutionizes patient engagement, offering a stark contrast to conventional practices.
During my 12-year tenure in a practice, I found the role of a treatment coordinator the most fulfilling. It’s dynamic, offering interactions with different individuals daily. It paves the way for altering patients’ perceptions of dentistry, and simultaneously, for increasing the adoption of treatment plans. For those seeking a fresh challenge within their practice, this role often proves to be the most gratifying.
This position has evolved into a viable career progression for dental nurses and front-desk personnel. With foundational dental knowledge, this role can elevate you. For instance, venturing into dental photography can further hone your skills as a treatment coordinator. Dental nurses, possessing an edge, can also acquire qualifications in dental radiography and refine their photography skills, thus enhancing the value they bring to the practice.
Why is a Treatment Coordinator Essential?
Every dental practice craves new patients and strives to deliver an unparalleled patient experience, ensuring loyalty. New patients anticipate a stellar service, hence it’s crucial to cater to their needs efficiently.
Financial prosperity is intrinsically linked to successful treatment plan execution, resulting in recurrent patient visits. However, many dentists grapple with discussing financial aspects. This hesitance can lead to lost revenue opportunities. It’s vital to pivot from simply handing over treatment plans without thorough discussions, which often results in patients balking at the costs.
Communication is key. Rather than inundating patients with dental jargon, it’s imperative to listen to them. Regrettably, dental schooling rarely emphasizes communication, customer service, or financial discussions.
Managing New Patients:
Acknowledging new patients as potential business opportunities is the first step. With this realization comes significant responsibility. Typically, the front-desk staff and dentists handle this. However, the treatment coordinator role can efficiently manage this, ensuring patient expectations are met.
Metrics, such as conversion rates of inquiries to appointments, should be tracked. Another critical aspect is gauging the average monthly expenditure of new patients. Astonishingly, many practices underestimate this value.
Transferring responsibilities from the front desk to a treatment coordinator can significantly improve practice efficiency and patient satisfaction.
Choosing the Right Treatment Coordinator:
Potential candidates for this role can range from dental nurses to front-desk staff or even practice managers. The candidate must possess traits like efficiency, team spirit, self-sufficiency, and exemplary people skills. While communication and customer service skills can be cultivated, an inherently amiable and effervescent personality is indispensable.
Steps to Integrate a Treatment Coordinator:
- Selection: Decide on the primary and backup treatment coordinator.
- Environment: Ensure an organized and comforting consultation space.
- Organizing: Arrange the treatment coordinator’s schedule.
- Training: Impart necessary skills to ensure effective functioning.
Concluding Thoughts:
Embarking on a journey as a treatment coordinator offers a rewarding career shift for any dental professional. It not only enhances the patient’s journey but also bestows immense benefits upon the practice. Emma Jade, as a consultant, emphasizes the transformational value of this role.
