Understanding the impact of pandemic :

To say that 2020 threw the world a giant curve ball would be one of the understatements of the decade. In this one year ,the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed nearly every aspect of our lives, including how we approach healthcare. Dental practices, in particular, have had to navigate numerous challenges to ensure the safety of both patients and staff while maintaining the quality of care. As we transition into a post-pandemic world, it's essential for dental practices to adapt and innovate . This blog will explore the opportunities to help dental clinics thrive in the days ahead of post-pandemic.

Post Pandemic Dental Practices :

We'll explore some key strategies for dental practices to adapt and thrive in a post-pandemic world, focusing on areas such as patient safety, technology integration, and practice management:

1. Prioritize Patient Safety:

One of the most critical aspects of dental office adaptation to the post-pandemic world is ensuring the safety of patients. Dental practices should continue to implement rigorous infection control protocols, such as enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures, as well as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for both staff and patients.

HYGIENE PROTOCOLS IN CLINICS :-

• Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfection: Implement rigorous cleaning protocols for all surfaces, equipment, and common areas using EPA-approved disinfectants. Increase frequency of cleaning to ensure a sanitized environment.

  Here is the list of EPA- registered antimicrobial products as sterilizers :

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Require all staff to wear appropriate PPE such as masks, face shields, gloves, and gowns. Provide training on proper usage and disposal of PPE

• Patient Screening: Conduct pre-appointment screenings for all patients, including temperature checks and COVID-19 symptom questionnaires. Reschedule appointments for patients exhibiting symptoms or recent exposure to the virus.

• Air Filtration and Ventilation: Upgrade HVAC systems with HEPA filters or other air purification technologies to improve indoor air quality. Increase ventilation in treatment rooms to reduce the risk of airborne transmission.

Moreover, maintaining social distancing measures in waiting areas and implementing touchless check-in procedures can help minimize the risk of virus transmission.

• Always Pre-screen patients for COVID-19 symptoms before appointments.

• Ask patients to wear masks upon entering the clinic.

• Implement social distancing measures in waiting areas.

• Provide hand sanitizer for patients and staff.

• Use disposable items when possible (e.g., bibs, cups) or implementing stringent sterilization protocols for reusable items.

• Limit the number of patients in the clinic at any given time to minimize crowding.

• Encourage contactless payment methods.

• Use physical barriers, such as plexiglass, at reception desks.

2. Embrace Telehealth and Virtual Consultations

The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of telehealth technologies across various healthcare sectors, including dentistry.

TELE-DENTISTRY SOLUTIONS :

• Teledentistry : is primarily used for triaging patients, but the potential extends beyond conducting consultations and appointments for follow-up recommendations. After pandemic , most of the patients appreciate the convenience of discussing dental conditions from the comfort and safety of their own space.

• Remote dental consultations : possible via zoom , google meet help to explore the possibilities of smile enhancement. These virtual consultant methods are becoming popular and powerful. With a video-powered widget added to the clinic website you can generate more interest in your practice and the cosmetic and esthetic services you offer. Prospective patients receive a personalized microsite built just for them and emergency cases and post-op follow ups with live consults can be created for desktop and mobile applications. Patients take photos of their smile or emergency for you to review. They learn detailed information about your practice and your services. The leads generated by the software is managed on a dashboard for the practice to organize and respond appropriately. This technology has the potential of generating high value leads 24/7 for your practice.

  

4. Invest in Dental technology advancements :

After covid 19 pandemic , its become very important for the dentists to invest in technology through which a social distance can be maintained between dentists and patients . Also , Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the patient experience and improving clinical outcomes. Dental practices should consider investing in digital tools such as intraoral scanners, digital radiography systems, and practice management software to streamline workflows and enhance diagnostic accuracy. Before investing , review your financial plan for the dental clinic.

Find the best intraoral scanners , digital radiography -RVG machines with us at www.signelbiomedical.com .

5. Enhance Practice Management:

Efficient practice management is essential for the long-term success of dental practices, especially in a post-pandemic environment. Here are some dental office adaptations that can be done to enhance the practice management :

• Paperless intake forms : Paperless intake forms that are completed online at the convenience of the patient and automatically integrated into their records. Text to pay, touchless payments and online bill pay. From online shopping to online banking, patients are used to paying for products and services at their convenience. Billing software such as AdvancedMD and DrChrono allows touchless payment processing twenty-four hours a day and helps to maintain patient trust in dental care .

• Online scheduling: After pandemic , The easier you make it for your patients to schedule an appointment, the better chance you have of them coming in. The benefits include the conveniences for the patient to have access to limited appointments and appointment times .

  FOR INSTANCE : Think of Open Table, United Airlines and Expedia – where consumers can book dinner with friends, flights, and hotel reservations with the ease of sitting in their office or on the couch. There is good scheduling software that will integrate with your PMS (Practice Management Software) like Local Med™, ZocDoc™ and Scheduling Widget™ and will allow to make appointments at your clinic in just one click .

• Community outreach for dental services: Reactivate Patients by developing a campaign to reach them through innovative methods such as SlyText or email and let your existing patients to know about your practice safety protocols and hygiene conditions followed after pandemic .

6.Communication

Critical to the recovery and revitalization of the practice through the Pandemic is Team Communication. Creating an understanding of new trends in dentistry and the potential impact on the practice is a key to practice success during and following the pandemic. Being receptive to innovative technology that will differentiate the practice and increase patient satisfaction is important for effective integration.

Since the Dental Team is often the first (and last) point of contact with patients, they must be comfortable having conversations with patients about:

• New Safety Protocols and Government Mandate Compliance

• New Methods of online communication and payment options

• Potential Treatment Possibilities

• Follow Up on Treatment Plan

CONCLUSION :

As we navigate the transition to a post-pandemic world, dental practices must adapt and innovate to thrive in this new environment. By prioritizing patient safety, embracing technology, enhancing practice management, and adapting to changing patient expectations, dental practices can position themselves for long-term success and sustainability. With proactive planning and strategic investments, the future of dentistry holds promising opportunities for growth and advancement.