Dentist - The Importance of an Excellent Staff

When it comes to the experience a patient has at the dental office, the

staff of the dentist almost has the primary responsibility of making the

visit comfortable. If the staff is excellent, then the patient is more

likely to return.



When a patient goes to the dentist, the first person they encounter is

usually never the doctor. The first person encountered is the

receptionist. After checking in with the front desk, there is still one

or two people that patient will interact with prior to meeting with the

actual dentist. This suggests that the staff plays an important role in

making sure the patient, as a customer, is satisfied with their

experience.



Again the first person encountered in the office is the receptionist. He

or she must be cheery and helpful in order to set-up a good, overall

experience for the patient. Answering questions promptly and in a

friendly manner is also a must. Answering the telephone and multitasking

clients and phone calls will also be an important role of this person.



Patients have little experience in matters involving insurance. The

receptionist will often need to act as the liaison between the insurance

company and the patient. Because of the complex nature of insurance

claims, this person will need to have good skills in expediting this

process, both for the sake of their office and their patient. Of course,

along with the insurance paperwork is the general organizing of the

patient information.



The next person, after the receptionist, is usually a hygienist or

dental aide or nurse. In large offices the aide will usually be the

person greeting the patient, after the receptionist determines they have

successfully completed the paperwork and are ready for the appointment.

The aide will quickly review their chart, determine the reasons for the

visit and get them set-up in the proper exam room.



Next, in the case of a patient needing a cleaning, the hygienist will

greet them. When a patient goes in for a cleaning and a check-up at

their primary dental office, it is actually the hygienist that they

spend the most time with. This person will actually check the health and

nature of the teeth, as well as oversee any x-rays prior to the

detailed cleaning. The x-rays and cleaning alone can take 30 to 45

minutes.



After the hygienist has established what needs to be done with the

patient, whether it’s just a cleaning or if there are some trouble spots

that need to be tended to, the dentist can drop in at any time. The

doctor or specialist may be third, fourth or even fifth person the

patient has interacted with at this point.



That’s why it is vital that a dentist has good staff surrounding him or

her. If a grumpy receptionist or aide greets a patient, they may make up

their mind about the office. An opinion can be formed by the

interaction with the hygienist alone, so it is in the best interest of

the dental office to have excellent staff.