COVID-19 and the changing trend of dentist and patient chemistry!

October 12, 2021

Sumit felt tremendous pain in one of his teeth. The only option was to call his dentist and find out what could be done to relieve him of this pain as he was unable to sleep, eat or work. Considering the pandemic, his dentist first connected online to assess the medical situation. The inflammation seemed serious and Sumit was asked to visit the clinic. “As I walked into the clinic I felt as if I was surrounded by aliens. The doctors were moving around in PPE sets and the whole process was contactless. I felt safe and secure but at the same time felt like an actor in a sci-fi movie.”

Sumit went home safe and relieved after getting the right solution. But the reality is that many adults avoid seeing a dentist primarily because they are worried about their ability to pay or fear pain. The need of the hour is to share the experiences of other patients and define the USP of your clinic. “How is it different? What is the unique experience that you offer? Do you have a membership so that I have premium access to your dental services?” These are some of the questions that need to be addressed proactively.

Another reason that may invoke trust and create a hook for dental patients is when you treat them as consumers and not patients. 2021 has spoilt individuals for choice and convenience. Patients not only expect access to dental services 24×7 but more importantly interact and engage with specialists directly. You need to put yourself in the shoes of your consumer and ask, ” Can the patient book the consultation at their convenience and time? Can they pay online? Can they have a membership that allows them premium access to the dentist and a discount on services? Can this be a one-stop shop for all their oral and dental needs? Can we go to the patient instead of the patient coming to the clinic?

Last but not least focus on patient experience. Enhance their experience but understand their emotional requirements. For example, when we are not confident about the way our teeth look, we tend to be less expressive and are less likely to smile. You can advise patients on how their teeth can be cleaned, whitened, polished and re-aligned. All of this can help your patient visualize their smile with the latest and most advanced technology. When you apply this approach, it can help calm patients’ nerves and make the process of receiving dental care less intimidating than it would be otherwise.

All of the above is being addressed and attended to by Smile Circle (SC) – a group of healthcare professionals trained in the latest dental technology to provide the best experience to the patients.

Over the last 10 years, SC is proud to have brought more than 20,000 plus smiles on happy faces across the UK and India. Moreover, SC has helped patients address dental problems like cavities, gum diseases, and bad breath, which, if unattended, impact an individual’s overall confidence, and mental and emotional health. Driven by core values of Trust, Integrity & Honesty, SC dental treatments are considered safe, hygienic and effective by the patients. Enhanced cutting-edge technology, standardized across all Smile Care Centers, gives us an edge over others, making us the “Preferred Partner for all Dental Solutions”.

Our Global Membership is on the way because we believe we have a responsibility towards our consumers – give them the best experience at an affordable cost.

And we always reinforce – the toothbrush doesn’t remove six months of tartar 30 minutes before your dental appointment! Be regular.