14
|
Volume1 Issue5
CDA
at
W
ork
Goodcommunicationconfirmedas thekey toa successfulpractice
Canadiandentistsunderstand the importanceof communicationas the key tobuilding
patient trust and rapport.
CDA recentlycompleted follow-up research (to2010)with theprofessionandpublic to
gaugehoweachgroupperceives the reputationof theprofession.Mirroringmanyof the
questionsposed to thepublic, dentistswerealsoasked to identify their key issues and
challenges.
The research reaffirmed that patients across thecountrywant their dentist toclearly
explain their examinationfindings and recommendations. Dentists acrossCanada (92%)
overwhelmingly indicatepatient communicationas themost important factor inbuilding
positive relationshipswithpatients, due inpart to theeffortsof theprovincial dental
associations andCDA to informmembersof thevalueof effectivecommunication.
Importanceof discussing costswithpatients
While themessageunderscoring the importanceof communicationhasbeenheard, agap
remainsbetweenwhat patients expect andwhat dentists communicate. Themajorityof
patientswant their dentist to talkabout thecost of treatment, butmanydentistsdefer this
conversation to their staff.
Trust and ValueWorking Group
UPDATETOSURVEYOF
CANADIANDENTISTS
Dr.LarryLevin
Dr.Levinpractises in
Hamilton,Ontario, is a
memberof theCDABoard
ofDirectors and is chair
ofCDA’sTrustandValue
WorkingGroup.
Conclusion:
Toalignmore
withpatientexpectations,
dentistsshouldconsidera
discussionabout thecost
of treatment. This increases
transparency,accountability,
trust,andpatientacceptance
of the recommended
treatment.
➦
–
49%
of dentists rate
personally
explaining
treatment costs topatients as the
second lowest
important factor in their relationshipwithpatients.
–
71%
of dentists say it is very important for their
staff toaddress costswithpatients.
–
Amajorityof patients (
62%
) say theyaremore
likely toagreewith their dentist’s recommendation
when it is clearlyexplained to them.
Of interest
–
Dentists ratepersonal referrals frompatients (
81%
)
andproximity (
12%
) as the top twodeterminants
inpatients choosingadentist.
Conclusion:
Dentists feel
practiceadvertising isnot the
mosteffectiveway toattract
patients.
➦
To listen to
an interviewwith
Dr. Levinabout
theTrust andValue
WorkingGroup, visit
