The Positive Dentist

Examining the non surgical aspect of dental care provision

To become a dentist takes many years of intense training. We learn not only the basics about oral health, but also micro examine procedures and all other aspects of dental care. For those who wish to add even more advanced techniques to their practice, such as the placing of dental implants, further study is required, often taking several years.

All of the surgical team at Alexandra Dental Care have undergone this training and are highly proficient in their skills. Being able to perform complicated procedures is essential for this line of work in order to ensure the best possible outcome for the patient, but it isn’t the only essential thing.

A caring profession

We know and understand, that many, perhaps most, of our patients do not enjoy going to see the dentist. Getting patients to attend on a regular basis is a big part of the challenge for any dental practice and ours is no different. A good practice will look at ways in which they can encourage people to do this and also, especially for very nervous patients, encourage them to go ahead with any necessary treatment.

So, as dentists, we know we have the necessary skills for the procedures that we need to carry out, but a question that we have to continually ask ourselves is how to keep our patients as happy and positive about their care as possible.

Welcoming patients

It all starts from the moment that a patient first walks through our door. Whilst the waiting room is, essentially, a functional room where people wait to see the dentist, this initial environment is important in establishing, in patients mind, a certain kind of trust. A purely functional room with bare walls, bar a few oral health posters, and little in the way of distractions, is not a very welcoming environment. We have tried to make our own waiting room as comfortable and welcoming for our patients from Ashby, Swadlincote and nearby areas as we possibly can.

Our front-line staff, i.e. reception team are also very important, not only in recording accurately, patient information and making appointments, but in the way that they welcome our patients. An unfriendly greeting could easily mean that that particular patient never gets as far as seeing the actual dentist. Thankfully, at Alexandra Dental Care, we have a reception team that greet you in a welcoming manner and understand the needs of all patients, including those who suffer with dental anxiety.

Language is important

Some dentists may fall into a habit of using dental terms that they have used during their studies and subsequent practice. Some of this is legitimate when taking records and passing the information to the dental nurse, for example. When talking to patients though, terms like ‘malocclusion’ mean nothing to most patients and may even cause them to worry. Using an alternative term such as ‘incorrect bite’ not only makes more sense to them, but also relieves any concerns that it may be more serious than it actually is.

We try to reflect this use of language in all information that we provide, whether written or verbal. Our dentists also often discuss amongst themselves, how they help patients to feel comfortable and relaxed and share this information for all to benefit.

In addition to new technologies that we introduce into our practice, we also try to constantly be aware of improvements that we can offer to our patients in a non surgical way. This can be anything from introducing relaxing aromas into a room to offer some relief from ‘dental smells’ to adding new artwork into our treatment rooms for the patient to focus on whilst receiving treatment. Sometimes, it is the little things that make the world of difference between being an ‘OK’ practice and one that offers a very user-friendly approach to its patients.

We are always looking at ways of improving our practice, and, if you have any suggestions as to how we can do this, we are always happy to hear from you. You can contact Alexandra Dental Care for this purpose by emailing us and you can also use our contact form to arrange an appointment. Or, if you prefer, simply give us a call on 01283 216347.

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