Dentaltown April 2015 - (Page 14)

professional courtesy column Recommendations Reflect You How to Make the Most of Specialist Referrals As a full-time general dentist I cultivate relationships with three groups of people: patients, staff and specialists. I very much respect specialists and what they do, but I love that I can choose among a larger variety of procedures. I like the freedom of that. The procedures that don't light my ﬁre can be referred to a trusted specialist. Let's look more closely at this relationship. First, let's acknowledge the challenges specialists face. They interact with many dental practices on a daily basis and they must have the ability to connect with a variety of distinct personalities. Sometimes, patients are referred after treatment is started and the specialist has to recover the case and hopefully save the patient's relationship with the referring dentist. Specialists must also communicate patient treatment and challenges in a timely manner since the general dentist never wants to be caught off guard by a patient calling ready to proceed with the next phase of their treatment. Beyond the basics, a specialist can deepen the relationship by becoming a resource for the general dentist who performs some of the same procedures, or in some cases, referring patients to the general dentist. The latter often happens with orthodontists and pediatric dentists who frequently see patients from direct referrals. The needs and responsibilities of the referring dentist represent the other side of this discussion. Whenever I have a need to refer a patient to a specialist, I make an effort to match the patient to the right specialist-this may include everything from matching personalities to taking care of patients who will only see someone in their insurance network. I also take the time to contact the specialist in advance of a patient's visit when there are special circumstances, so the patient is not burdened with remembering details and so the specialist has a proper perspective on the clinical needs of the patient and their treatment plan. " Whenever I have a need to refer a patient to a specialist, I make an effort to match the patient to the right specialist-this may include everything from matching personalities to taking care of patients who will only see someone in their insurance network." I also monitor the care my patients receive not only from clinical reports, but also from patient feedback. This is critical and often overlooked. Continued on p. 16 by Thomas Giacobbi, DDS, FAGD, Editorial Director, Dentaltown Magazine 14 APRIL 2015 // dentaltown.com http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown April 2015

On Dentaltown.com
HOWARD SPEAKS: When Staff Members Lose Hope
PROFESSIONAL COURTESY: Recommendations Refl ect You
Continuing Education Update
Industry News
Poll
Lateral Incisor Placement with CEREC
Oral Cancer: Stop Assuming and Start Screening
CE: Removal of Hemangioma, Fibroma and Performing a Frenectomy
Braces V. Aligners: As Technology Evolves So Do Patient Choices
Malpractice: Changing the Way We Practice
Treatment Planning for Implants in the Maxillary Edentulous Patient
You Should Know: Molar Media Mount
Collecting Trauma Pictures for a Lecture
A Progressive Treatment for the Over-Flared, Over-Prepared Endodontically Treated Tooth
New Products
Creating a Safe, Effective X-ray Practice
SmartBox: Marketing Prodigy Masters Patient Attraction
Facebook Updates and the Impact on Your Dental Practice
Improve a Dental Practice’s Fiscal Health by Proactively Managing A/R Days
Pennsylvania Doc Balances Professionalism and Humor
Ad Index
Product Profile: Ivoclar Vivadent
Perspectives: Being a Female Dentist in Yemen
Products in Practice: DENTSPLY
ULTRASONICS SHOWCASE
Ready, Set, Know: Making the Most of Your Dentrix Investment
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown April 2015