How do we begin to address inadequate periodontal systems in dental practice? Start with the problem.

Dental professionals and practices are recognising that the historical ways of delivering periodontal care are simply not fit for purpose in this modern world. The traditional scale and polish model not only underserves the patients’ needs but also devalues the professionals delivering the care and puts the business at a financial disadvantage.

What are the impacts?

 Your Patients

We commonly see underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of periodontal diseases leading to inappropriate or delayed treatment, and in many cases, no course of treatment at all.  The risk of poor patient outcomes becomes greater along with running the risk of litigation. 

Your Business

The business loses revenue as periodontal treatments are not prescribed and charged appropriately and the practice's reputation is at stake when patients choose to seek care elsewhere.

Your People

 Frustration levels are high, motivation low when there is a lack of adequate screening provided and clinicians are struggling to convey the periodontal message to the patients. There is often subconscious conflict between piers due to a lack of continuity in screening methods.

When we consider the problem and recognise the damaging effects, we can recognise the solution is to create a change. That change is multi-level in that there needs to be a change in perception, value, systems, structure, and clinical delivery.  On the surface this seems simple: improve the services and change how you operate, and the patients will be healthier.  However, change whilst bringing opportunity also brings challenges. People often fear the unknown and demonstrate resistance to change, leaving your business and team retracting back to their norm. 

Implement Standard Protocols

A clear protocol for a comprehensive examination and use of the S3 Guidance will allow for continuity and support accurate diagnosis. 

Staff Training

Regular training on the importance and value of periodontal management will support the whole team and clinical training on screening, diagnosis and the use of data gathering will strengthen the message to your patients. 

Technology

Investing in technology will enable you to advance if you desire to invest. Digital scanning can play a big part in the patient communication phase of their examination and hygiene phases of treatment as well as be utilised for monitoring. The Florida Probe Voice Works allows for voice-activated periodontal charting and accelerates patient engagement.

Having the technology doesn’t simply ‘make things happen’ it’s often the power of communication that lies beneath the tech that does the work.

Moving away from your old ways of working can enhance the quality of patient care quality, improve health outcomes, and bolster business success.

Where to begin

 Starting with the end in mind allows you to create your vision: Create healthy happy patients, teams and businesses. However, you need to know what the problems are within your existing business model and systems.

 By identifying and tackling challenges you will understand the issues and be able to create an effective strategy and solution. Working out the problems collectively as a team fosters a sense of collaboration. Team members feel valued and heard and understand the root cause of the issues. 

Addressing the challenges when proposing changes to dental hygiene and periodontal services is not merely an exercise in problem-solving, it is a crucial step in ensuring success with minimal pushback from our team and patients.

If challenges are addressed early, we can anticipate and mitigate the risks. We can be prepared with possible solutions, answers, and patient responses with minimal disruptions. This will allow for a smoother implementation when the time comes.

Whether you are developing a streamlined hygiene procedure, introducing new technologies or improving the appointment scheduling this needs to come from the heart. If your primary goal is to provide the best care possible then you will likely create an empowered happy team of people and a prosperous business.

Many clinicians invest in course after course to build skills, confidence and knowledge and whilst that is important it is also valuable to find education that straddles every facet of what it takes to run and manage a periodontal protocol that builds value, is connected to the dentistry and develops harmonious working relationships.

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