A humanized dentistry can be understood as an approach that is concerned with the well-being of the patient in the sense of bringing him closer to the dental professional and making him more comfortable to have confidence in the treatment.
A very common approach in dentistry is to treat the patient as a problem to be solved. This approach will discover what the patient's demand is, understand what the best treatment options are, apply that treatment and solve the patient's problem / desire.
All this happens in an almost mechanical way, in which the dentist applies his knowledge of dentistry to offer the best solution to the patient's problem.
On the other hand, a humanized service is one that treats the patient with attention, care, empathy and acceptance. It takes time and patience to cultivate a good relationship, transforming the dental clinic into a pleasant place for patients.
In addition, obviously, humanized dentistry also offers the best care, solving the patient's problems in an efficient, intelligent and humane way.
After all, what is Humanized Dentistry?
The dentist who practices humanized dentistry has the habit of talking to his patient, listening to his needs, with the aim of getting to know him more deeply. In this way, it is possible to offer the best care and meet the expectations of the patient.
But humanized dentistry is not just about the relationship between dentist and patient. It also brings changes to the office environment, such as pleasant music, TV with content to distract the patient, who often feels anxious.
In addition, it also interferes with the service provided by the reception, which should not be focused on agility, but on personalization. It is necessary to understand how the client likes to be treated and what are the communication channels to be able to schedule an appointment.
What is the role of the dentist and the patient in this relationship?
Dentists need to understand the patient as a co-participant in the process of promoting oral health. The patient, in turn, likes to be a part of and to understand the procedures in detail, from a perspective that involves loyalty and sincerity.
This generates benefits for the patient, for the dentist and directly influences the good results of the treatment.
How is humanized dentistry applied at OdontoLiuzzi?
Humanized dentistry is part of the essence of OdontoLiuzzi, and is present both in the way dentists relate to their patients and in the techniques and procedures adopted, even in the decoration of the physical space.
The waiting room of a dentistry office can be synonymous with a moment of apprehension for the patient, especially on the first trip to the dentist. To avoid this feeling, we created an environment to improve service with a comfortable space and elements that make up the environment, such as colors, refrigeration, music, posters, magazines, TVs, among others.
Upon arriving at the office, our patients have an excellent impression from the first contact, feeling good, comfortable, without arousing bad feelings, such as fear and insecurity.
Humanized dentistry is also present in aesthetic procedures, which aim to increase the patient's self-esteem. In addition to balancing oral health, our dentists help correct imperfections and features that displease our patients.
More than a health service, the individual pays attention to their well-being and perceives this difference, feels that they are treated in a personalized and unique way.
Examples of how we practice humanized dentistry
1. We explain how the procedures work
The patient, in general, has little knowledge about dental treatments, which can generate fear and distrust. Therefore, one of the bases of humanized dentistry is the concern to explain how the procedures work.
This practice helps you to understand what you will be subjected to, the dynamics of the procedure and the results that will be obtained, always using simple words of general knowledge to facilitate the communication process.
If you do not understand how the procedure presented works, you will probably be worried and may choose not to continue the treatment, or even be frustrated with the results because you have a completely different expectation.
2. We treat people by name
It may seem basic, at OdontoLiuzzi we address our patients by name. On many occasions, we are not called by name, but the traditional “next”. It may seem simple, but it makes all the difference in the patient's feeling of satisfaction.
This simple action will make us feel valued as a person, with unique needs who sought assistance due to a very personal situation.
In addition, calling the patient by name demonstrates respect and contributes to building trust in the relationship.
3. We listen carefully to patient complaints
To make care more humanized, we need to understand that oral health is directly related to the patient's routine habits. For example, if you have a habit of smoking, you need to consider this in dental planning.
Therefore, one of the practices adopted in humanized dentistry is attentive listening to their complaints, as well as everything that involves care, or lack thereof, with oral health. Only then will it be possible to understand the root cause of the problem and offer you the best solution.
4. We are available in times of doubt
Even after we answer all your questions at the time of consultation, it is likely that, during the course of treatment, new questions will arise. These questions, under no circumstances, should be ignored.
For this reason, when we apply humanized dentistry in the service, we clearly demonstrate that we are available to answer all your questions, regardless of when they arise.
5. Post-consultation care
Many healthcare professionals forget that care continues after treatment is over. Aftercare has a huge influence on building the relationship between you and your dentist.
In addition to patient care, post-care is also a great time to receive feedback, improve the process as a whole and identify points that did not please during treatment.
What are the benefits of humanized dentistry?
Undergoing dental treatment can be a difficult and even somewhat uncomfortable process for some people.
Humanized dentistry allows us to improve this patient's experience, making them feel safer and more confident about the results. In addition, a humanized service helps to reduce friction points on this journey so that you feel comfortable returning to our clinic.
Another benefit felt by patients is the increase in satisfaction, strongly driven by the feeling of feeling unique when receiving personalized care, considering their specific needs and desires.
A humanized service confers several benefits that contribute to happier patients and willing to complete the treatments. Check out some examples:
Reduce odontophobia, or fear of having dental procedures
Dental anxiety and fear of the dentist (odontophobia) are extremely common. It is estimated, for example, that 9% to 15% of the US population avoids going to the dentist due to anxiety and fear. It is about 30 to 40 million people. According to a survey carried out by British Dental Health Foundation, 36% of people who did not go to the dentist regularly said that fear was the main reason.
Although oral care with a dentist is extremely necessary, fears about the professional's work persist. Even though there are several technologies to facilitate dental treatments, many people still tremble just imagining the noise of the little engine.
This is because this approach allows welcoming the patient to the point of removing all doubts and prejudices in relation to the procedures. Thus, the patient's fear of seeking treatment is reduced.
Click here and check out more about what is odontophobia.
Ensuring the patient's well-being
Humanized dentistry recommends personalization of care. This means that each patient is seen in a unique way. For example, some patients like to apply a lot of anesthesia during the course of the treatments.
Others are already able to bear pain in some procedures, making the use of anesthesia indifferent. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the patient's preferences. This is one of the benefits of humanized dentistry that ensures his well-being.
increased confidence
The relationship between patient and dentist is not just one of service provision. The dentist is responsible for facilitating treatments, accompanying and understanding the patient, and building this and any other relationship is only possible if there is trust between the parties.
Without this trust, the patient ends up not following the guidelines, such as taking the correct medications, taking the necessary care, among others.
The patient feels safer during the treatment
Dental treatment can be somewhat uncomfortable, especially if the patient does not feel safe with the treatment.
However, with humanized care, patients feel safer and more confident in the end result, understanding that the process will be worth it.
It is easier for the dentist to understand the patient's demand
It is often difficult to know what the patient is going through, especially if he has difficulty opening up to the professional. After all, many people are shy, or at least find it difficult to really open up to a “stranger”.
With a humanized treatment, where time and attention is dedicated to patients, they feel much more open, which facilitates communication.
In addition, humanized care allows you to get to know the patient better and really understand what he needs.
Focus on customer experience
As you can see, humanized dentistry consists of “derobotizing” patient care. She prioritizes reception and empathy. It goes against the mechanization process, greatly influenced by technological advances in the health sector.
To promote humanized dentistry, the most important thing is to think about the patient's perspective. Dental visits get a bad rap on their own, so it's important to break that image right off the bat. With attention, patience and empathy, it will be possible to change the public's impression in each service.
Humanized Dentistry brings many benefits to the clinic and, above all, to patients. The humanized dentist talks to his patient, listening to his complaints and seeking to know him in depth, in order to be able to offer the best treatment plan.
In addition to raising the quality of day-to-day care at the clinic, Humanized dentistry increases the level of patient satisfaction. In addition, by listening to patients, care will be even more specific. With that, everyone wins.
Now that you better understand the importance of humanized dentistry, contact OdontoLiuzzi and understand better how we can help you!
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Humanized Dentistry
Find out how to overcome the fear of the dentist
Click here
Fear of the Dentist has a name
Odontophobia
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