Continuing Care | Dental Practice Solutions

Improving Dental Hygiene Patient Compliance: Strategies and Benefits

By: Debbie Seidel

August 2, 2023

As dental professionals, we understand the significance of maintaining optimal oral health. A well-maintained dental hygiene department not only ensures patient satisfaction but also contributes to the overall success of a dental practice. One crucial aspect that directly impacts patient outcomes is patient compliance with oral hygiene and treatment recommendations.

In this blog, we will delve into effective strategies to improve dental hygiene patient compliance, leading to enhanced productivity and patient loyalty. By implementing these techniques, you can create a thriving dental hygiene department in your practice and, ultimately, ensure the best possible oral health for your patients.

The Importance of Patient Compliance

Patient compliance refers to the extent where patients adhere to prescribed oral care routines and follow recommended dental hygiene practices. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of dental professionals, many patients struggle with maintaining consistent oral hygiene habits. What we say goes in one ear and out the other.

This lack of compliance can lead to various oral health issues, including cavities, gum disease, tooth loss, and numerous systemic conditions such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimers, etc, etc. As a dental professional, addressing and improving patient compliance is a pivotal step in promoting preventive dentistry and long-term overall health.

Effective Communication

Clear and concise communication with patients plays a crucial role in improving compliance. Dentists and dental hygienists must take the time to educate patients about the importance of good oral hygiene and how it directly affects their total health. Utilizing visual aids such as charts, diagrams, and videos can enhance patient understanding and make oral health recommendations more relatable.

Encourage patients to ask questions and address any concerns they might have regarding their oral care routine. Use motivational interviewing which is an effective way to talk with patients. This is an evidence-based approach to help your patients accept the care they need. *See the reference below in references for more information about Motivational Interviewing.

Personalized Care Plans

Every patient’s dental needs are unique. Tailoring dental hygiene plans to each individual patient can greatly enhance patient compliance. Conduct thorough assessments of their oral health, including systemic risk factors and previous dental history, to create personalized treatment plans. Engaging patients in the process and discussing their specific needs fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for their oral health, increasing the likelihood of compliance.

Let patients know what exams and assessments you are completing. Always make them a part of your assessments. Collaboration is key if you want your patients to “own their disease.”

**See above image for time management strategies to help the dental hygienist “Complete it all!”

Establishing Realistic Goals

Setting achievable oral health goals is vital in maintaining patient motivation and compliance. Collaborate with patients to set specific, measurable, and realistic objectives that align with their oral health needs. Understand where they are in their world and help them determine what they will commit to implementing outside your treatment room. Break down the goals into smaller milestones and celebrate their achievements, reinforcing positive behavior and commitment to their dental hygiene routine.

Utilizing Technology

Incorporating technology into your daily schedule can significantly improve patient compliance. Implement reminder systems through emails, text messages, or automated calls to prompt patients about upcoming appointments, follow-ups, and oral care routines. Discover fun ways to track your patients oral hygiene progress, and make this interactive for your patients.

It’s important to monitor your patients oral and total health. Show patients their progress. Congratulate them. Find ways to make oral hygiene changes feel good for your patient and create positive experiences.

Talking about technology, does your dental practice offer patients full-mouth scans, soft-tissue diode lasers and guided biofilm therapy options?

These are leading-edge technologies that will greatly benefit your patients oral health, reducing inflammation and will become great practice builders. Stay on top of the latest technologies that can assist in creating total wellness for your patients.

Emphasize Preventive Dentistry

Promoting preventive dentistry is key to reducing oral inflammation. Oral inflammation triggers numerous systemic diseases.

Encourage routine dental hygiene appointments, as preventive care allows for early detection of disease and timely intervention. Educate patients about the long-term cost-saving benefits of preventive measures compared to extensive treatments for neglected oral health issues.

Enhancing patient compliance offers numerous benefits, not only for the patients but also for your dental practice:

Better Oral Health Outcomes: Improved compliance leads to better oral health, reducing the risk of dental problems and enhancing overall patient satisfaction. Optimal oral health supports total health.
Enhanced Patient Loyalty: Patients who feel cared for and supported in their oral health journey are more likely to remain loyal to your practice. They will become your raving fans!
Increased Productivity: A proactive dental hygiene department that prioritizes patient compliance can lead to increased productivity, improved patient flow, and higher revenue.
Positive Word-of-Mouth: Satisfied patients are more likely to refer friends and family to your practice, further boosting your reputation and patient base. Every team member needs to ask for positive patient reviews!
Professional Fulfillment: Witnessing the positive impact of improved patient compliance can provide a sense of fulfillment and motivation for the entire dental team. Share the success of patient outcomes and always remember to celebrate your successes.

Conclusion

Improving dental hygiene patient compliance is a pivotal step to enhancing productivity and success within your dental hygiene department. When you adopt effective communication strategies, personalized care plans, and emphasize preventive dentistry, you can foster patient compliance and achieve total health outcomes.

Remember, patient compliance is a collaborative effort, and by supporting your patients in their total health journey, you can cultivate loyal and satisfied patients who are more likely to refer others to your practice. So, let’s work together to build a thriving dental hygiene department and ensure the best possible health for all our patients.

Consider updating and optimizing your hygiene department with a complimentary discovery call.
Schedule here . You can also send us a message here.

Reference.

* Motivational Interviewing. Read More Here

End of Year Dental Hygiene Patient Reactivation

By: admin

October 17, 2019

It goes without saying that we are now counting down the days until our year (2019) comes to an end.

How many of your patients need a dental hygiene appointment?

How many patients have unscheduled dental treatment?

Do you know these numbers?

Have you looked at your numbers?

Some choose to not look because it causes more stress and it seems like a daunting task to figure out how to get these patients to “want” a dental appointment, let alone, pay for dental services.

Does it seem like your patients want what their dental insurance will pay for?

Do your patients truly understand “WHAT” their dental insurance benefits cover?!

Insurance is a benefit, NOT a free for all. That is another blog, another day!

I want to provide solid, proven, solutions for you to get your patients back on your schedule. It’s the end of year and time to reactivate your dental hygiene patients

Step 1. Run the reports

You must look at your numbers. We use Dental Intel to help our patients look at this #. It takes 5 minutes.

I want to help you save time and I am offering you a NO-COST profit boost session. I will look over these numbers to see where you are and personally provide 3 steps to get the patients back on your schedule.

What do you need to do to get the no-cost session scheduled?

Email our office: admin@dentalpracticesolutions.com or you can call to schedule: 949-351-8741. Another simple way to get this scheduled is to click my personal calendar link here: PROFIT BOOST SESSION

We are happy to provide Dental Intel for 30 days at no-charge when you schedule your call ($450 value).

Step 2. Schedule time to call overdue hygiene patients and also patients with outstanding treatment.

When you call patients, you must first review WHY you are calling. Review their chart notes to see various reasons for patients to return.

We call this the R2R. This reason has to do with “What your patients’ value” and “What is the benefit” to them for completing treatment and for continuing their care with the hygienists.

R2R is a system I created to support case acceptance. It is also used when calling patients who need an appointment or when a patient calls to “change” their appointment.

Again, please schedule your free call with me and I am happy to share more about this with you.

Step 3. Text message your patients.

Most people today (even a 90 yrs young patient!) prefer to text and most people in today’s world do not answer their phone if they don’t recognize the phone number calling.

Most offices I speak to do not actually have patients pick up their phone. The dental professional calling these patients will leave a message.

A text message is usually seen must faster than a voice message is heard by your patient.

Step 4. Video message.

I know, it probably seems odd, but we recommend our clients use video. We teach and support our clients to create short generic videos to send various patients who do not schedule an appointment. This is sent via text (And this video can also be emailed) after leaving your office without scheduling a necessary dental appointment.

Again, I am happy to discuss how to do this during your scheduled call with me.

Step 5. Send a letter to your patients with outstanding dental treatment and patients who are overdue for their hygiene appointment.

I do not recommend snail mail often but if these other solutions are not working you must absolutely, send a nice, short but to-the-point letter explaining about your concern for their oral and total health.

Also mention somewhere in your letter to your patient that treating disease costs a lot more than preventing disease.

Conclusion.

Today is the time to put your patient reactivation plan in place.

You and your team must work on this every day and never stop.

When patients leave without a next appointment, you must have a plan in place to contact them sooner than later. Waiting for a week or month to go by is not appropriate.

I have a passion for helping my colleagues implement systems and processes that work. I am on a mission to help you STOP working so hard!

I am serious when I say to schedule a call and let me help you STOP THE BLEEDING IN YOUR SCHEDULE!

These holes and the lack of patients scheduling are costing your business and your patients a lot of money. Its possible that your patients just don’t understand how important this is to their total health. They may not ‘get’ that spending money on prevention will save them more money than treating disease. They don’t speak “Dental.”

It’s our job to help patients understand their dental disease and want what they need.

ABOUT Debbie Seidel-Bittke, RDH, BS

Debbie Seidel-Bittke, RDH, BS is founder and CEO of Dental Practice Solutions. Debbie is also a former dental hygiene program director. Her expertise is optimizing the hygiene department by taking a total team approach; including the doctor as the leader.

Schedule a FREE Profit Boosting Session here today or call our office to schedule: 949-351-8741

Reactivate Your Overdue Hygiene Patients

By: admin

August 27, 2019

Summer in North America is coming to a close.

The kids are going back to school and family vacations are over.

2019 is more than half-way over and that means you have less months in 2019 to meet your dental practice goals.

What are you doing this month to reactivate your overdue hygiene patients?

In today’s blog I will list a few things you must do today to get your patients on your schedule before December 31st of 2019.

Your To Do List:

Run your overdue hygiene patient report.
1. If you need an easy way to run this report please do reach out to our office. Let’s schedule 15 minutes so I can show you a few easy ways to get this information right now and also each month moving forward. Send us an email to schedule this.
Schedule a time on your daily schedule to make a personal call to the patients who are currently overdue.
1. When calling use words that show you care about your patient.
2. Use words that add value and benefits to scheduling the appointment.
3. Try to think “outside the box” of calling to say, “You are overdue for your appointment.”
  1. Explain the reason they really need to return to see the hygienist.
    1. Use words like, “Overall health, Preventive Care, Your Wellness Exam with Mollie your hygienist and Dr. Smith, Cavity Detecting x-rays to prevent unnecessary money on root canals, toothloss and abnormalities, etc.”
    2. Be creative when you use words to encourage, motivate and move patients to schedule this valuable, life-saving appointment.
Schedule email and text campaigns.
1. This is your most efficient use of your time and you can reach hundreds of patients with the click of a button.
2. Again, if you are not familiar with how to do this please do reach out to our office so I can spend 15 minutes with you and explain a simple way to do this NOW and moving forward, you will do this each week. Send an email to our office to schedule 15 minutes.
WIIFM

This is most important!

People will make many excuses to not schedule their dental appointments. Many years ago I created a system called “Forever White” which allows dental patients to receive tooth whitening for FREE.

It’s human nature for people to ask, “What’s in it for me?” This is especially true with dental appointments so when your patients are overdue know that you must have a very good reason to break your patients away from something they “think” it more important…..i.e. A Dental Appointment.

When patients are in the dental chair you have a captive audience to share the value and benefits of scheduling and paying for treatment. Once patients are not in your dental office, it becomes more important to get your patients attention and “want” to schedule a dental appointment.

Our Forever White program is proprietary. We buy the hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel from a well-known dental supply company. We are then able to add the gel (you choose which type of peroxide you wish and the percentage) to a customized syringe.

The syringes are 3.1 ml of gel and they are laser imprinted with your office name, website address and office phone number. We add your logo and the laser imprinting is in the color of your choice.

Again, contact our office if you want to learn more about implementing this service for your patients. We will show you how to grow your practice and keep patients returning for the appointments……..on time!

5. THE FREE OFFER

Your free offer, whitening or anything you decide is best for your office to give the patient as a reward for scheduling is communicated in your email/text campaign.

6. Video Engages

We have learned that in today’s world, video is a type of message you provide your patients makes it more likely that patients will actually open/read your email or text.

7. Dental Practice University

I invite you to enroll in our Dental Practice University because the first 14 days are FREE.

Included in the first 14 days is a video training with scripts to send the email/text campaigns.

We will also provide you with our Ebook during the first 14 days to reactivate your overdue hygiene patients.

Get started HERE.

It’s imperative that you work your overdue hygiene recare system every week.

Appoint one person who is your implementer for this dental hygiene patient reactivation system.

Dental hygienists should also be a part of this system. Dental Hygienists are a big help when reactivating overdue dental hygiene patients.

Conclusion

The best way to not work so hard on reactivating your overdue hygiene patients is for the hygienists to always schedule the patients’ next visit.

When talking to patients about scheduling their next visit: Hygiene appointments or restorative, etc., always let patients know the value and benefits for them to schedule the appointment.

Example:

“Mr. Jones, today we treated you for the gingivitis because as you know, we are concerned about your bleeding gums and the inflammation in your mouth today. We know that your diabetes will improve as the health of your gums improves. I want to see you again for preventive care and re-evaluate your gum health in four weeks. I have Tuesday September 24th at 10am available, does this day and time work for you?”

Notice how in this example above, I used the words that were used in conversation during the patients’ appointment.

During the medical history review, I discussed the diabetes condition, medications, etc. We evaluated his gum health (Comprehensive Periodontal Exam. CPE) before determining the type of cleaning Mr. Jones would receive.

The results of the gum exam (CPE) determined that Mr. Jones needed gingivitis treatment today (see our FREE RESOURCE about Treating the Gingivitis Patient here.)

We know that if a patient has bleeding, inflammation and infection, we will do a post-op, re-evaluation visit in the next 2-6 weeks. In this situation above, we want to see Mr. Jones in approximately four weeks to be sure his gums have responded to the gingivitis treatment we provided.

At this next appointment if the re-evaluation of his gums (CPE) shows healthy gums, you will now complete a prophylaxis appointment and determine if he should return in three, four, six or another interval for his next hygiene appointment.

When handing-off your patient to the front desk and whenever you are scheduling a next visit always state the reason for your patient to return.

Now is the time to reactivate your overdue hygiene patients. Do not delay. Time is moving so quickly this year of 2019!

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ABOUT DEBBIE SEIDEL-BITTKE, RDH, BS

Schedule a FREE Profit Boosting Session Here today or call our office to schedule: 949-351-8741