Dentec industry articles

Improve patient experience in your dental practice

Written by Jono Stewart | Mar 6, 2019 12:38:00 AM

When patients step into your dental practice, they often make judgments on the appearance of your clinic. This is because the environment and aesthetic appeal of your practice are reflections of your commitment to quality. Clients most likely will get turned off by a space that looks drab and outdated.

Next time you walk in through the front door of your practice, imagine what it feels like to your patients. Does your office represent the quality of dentistry that you provide? Is your equipment up to date? Perhaps the lighting is too harsh?

When you want to make a good impression and build long-lasting relationships with your patients, invest in the image of your facility. Here are some points to consider when improving your dental practice.

Create a pleasant atmosphere

For a dental practice to be appealing, it should have a relaxing and comfortable ambience. Consider the atmosphere of your reception, the colour scheme of your waiting room and the kind of furnishings that your office has. What messages do they send out? If you want your patients to feel relaxed and calm when waiting for their appointment, go for softer and warmer colours like yellow, orange or red. For a touch of comfort, add bright-coloured cushions to your seating area. A few potted plants will also make the place look more inviting.

Cool hues like pastel shades of green and blue will go well in the treatment room. These are known to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of tranquillity. You can also consider hanging up some art prints, motivational posters and photos on the walls to give clients something to look at during treatment.

Keep up to date

Staying current with the latest technology is critical when you want to stay competitive in today’s dental market. As a supplier of modern equipment, such as dental chairs, we will not only improve the efficiency of your practice, but also help you communicate to patients that they’re receiving quality care from you.

By adding services that use up to date equipment you stand out from your competitors and provide the best treatments available to your clients. By investing in your practice, you are more likely to earn the trust of your patients.

Maintain the quality and sanitation of your instruments and equipment

As much as it is important to keep up with advanced equipment, you should never take lightly the cleanliness of your existing furniture and instruments. Create a simple daily cleaning routine for your practice, which includes disinfecting chairs, desks and workstations. Train your staff to properly cleanse and dry all dental tools after each use. After you’ve purchased new dental instruments, be sure they are completely sterilised before you store them with the rest of your tools and devices. This way, you minimise the risks of contamination and infections.

If you need help with the regular sanitation of your practice, you can hire professionals to visit your practice for cleaning services. They can go over spots and corners that you might have accidentally overlooked with high-tech equipment. If you sign up for regular services, some companies might even provide discounted rates for bi-annual and annual packages.

The importance of lighting

Ambient lighting options make a huge difference to the general look and feel of a treatment room. When utilised properly, they help in reducing the nervousness of patients and creating a warm, friendly environment.

For example, you can let more natural light in by installing the dental chair near the window, making your patient more relaxed during their stay. Other options like wall lights or cabinet down lighting also promote a sense of calm, reducing any anxiety felt by your patients.