Nothing can throw a wrench into your daily schedule like an unforeseen, unexpected emergency. Thankfully, in the world of dentistry, true emergencies are rare. Yet, frantic patients often perceive emergencies, creating a ripple effect on your entire practice.
Ready for the good news? Proactive planning and good team communication can stop alarm bells from disrupting daily practice operations. Here’s how to dial back a potential five-alarm fire before it has a chance to sweep through the practice:
Define "Emergency" for Your Team. What truly constitutes an emergency? Having a clear definition sets expectations for both staff and patients.
Trust Your Team to Be Gatekeepers. Empower your receptionists and dental assistants to handle inquiries. Urge them to ask clarifying questions to distinguish true emergencies from urgent, yet manageable, situations.
Educate Patients Proactively. Don't wait for a crisis to communicate! Develop patient education materials for what constitutes a dental emergency and the best course of action.
True dental emergencies need to be treated quickly and carefully! Just make sure your team has a clear understanding of what constitutes an actual emergency vs. a situation that can be deftly handled without major disruption.