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There’s so much more!

It seems, with the COVID concerns, that hygienists throughout the country are becoming more and more concerned with their own time management in treating their patients in a timely fashion. “I have so much more to do now.” Anxiety is up, pressure is up, and the end of the day brings exhaustion, just to return tomorrow to repeat!

Is this you? At the end of the day, does your hand, neck and back hurt? Are you staying late to get your notes done? Are you just tired of this repeated scenario?

There is so much more! NOT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR RIGHT NOW!

See if you, the hygienist, resonates with this; You seat the patient on time. Medical history review, blood pressure and updates are done. You set the patient back, look in their mouth, and think, “oh my goodness, there’s 4 hours of work to do in there.” You proceed to bust your butt to get done, arm aching, back aching, hand hurting, only to feel deflated that more could have been done “if only I had more time.”

NO.

I am going to ask you to sit down before you read this next statement. Are you sitting?

When there is 4 hours of work to get done in 45 minutes, STOP THE PROCEDURE. Sit the patient up. Mention this; I am not sure if COVID has caused what I see, or, if you are super stressed or if something else has happened to you, but, there looks like there is 4 hours of work to do in there. Would you be willing to return for another appointment for both of us to try to get you back to a healthy state? You would have to pay for the next appointment. If you have insurance, it will be discounted. (If the patient is uninsured, say, your next appointment will cost $xxx. )

Please dream here. The patient agrees to return in a month. You get the procedure done without bodily pain (to you). Here is what you have accomplished.
1. The patient is now healthier.
2. You are not in pain by overdoing.
3. The office wins with a filled chair.
4. EVERYONE WINS.
5. Then, offer this new interval as their new norm! (Verbiage here – your insurance will cover 2, you pay for 2. It’s like a 50%+ discount!)

This is where there is so much more! Think differently to get a different result. Be honest with your patients. Use your tools. Perhaps use the Intra Oral camera to tell your story. Do what you can in the time you have, inviting them back to partner in their health. You will find most patients will say yes!

This is where there is so much more!

Accelerate My Practice is an onsite coaching company that coaches the entire life cycle of the dental patient. From the incoming new patient call to the payment of the final bill! Reach out so we may help you enjoy your career, MORE.

– Written by Barbara Maddy with Accelerate My Practice

Learn more about Accelerate My Practice using the links below!

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