We offer emergency dentistry and go to great lengths to convert patients to preventative dentistry at eDental Perth. We know that preventative dentistry is much healthier in the long run and that it can save patients a lot of time, money and pain. We find it rewarding to educate patients and help them take control of their dental health instead of letting it control them.
In addition, we pride ourselves in providing dental services in an environment of caring and non-judgement. We decided long ago that we would treat our patients like family. We decided to only hire employees who genuinely care about people because we genuinely care about people.
An Eye-Opening Study
We feel strongly about these principles and we recently got a nice surprise when we were directed towards a piece of research that we hadn’t seen from a couple of years ago. It was a study published by BMC Health Services Research in 2012, spanning 847 patients in 22 dental practices in NSW from May 2005-March 2006.
The study was titled, “Experiences of Dental Care: What do Patients Value?” If you want to read the entire study, you can find it here: http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1472-6963-12-177.pdf/.
Basically, this study helped us reaffirm everything we believe in, both as professionals and as human beings. We would like to tell you about some of the highlights and how they relate to us here at eDental Perth.
The Study: What do Patients Value?
According to the study, every patient, regardless of their level of dental health, risk or care, preferred a dentist who genuinely cared about them and didn’t waste time “blaming” them for their cavities or other oral health problems. Those who were educated about preventative dental care tended to differentiate between “old school” and “new school” dentistry.
“Old school dentists” were seen as dentists who lacked communication skills, preferred fillings as a solution to every problem and didn’t provide preventative options. Some went so far as to wonder if there was an “old-school school” that allowed dentists to graduate without knowing how to recommend preventative solutions.
“New school dentists” were seen as dentists who educated their patients and helped them prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. They were seen as being supportive as opposed to judgmental.
Patients valued and preferred new school dentists over old school dentists because they felt they were being supported, reassured and taught how to promote dental health in between visits as opposed to being a body in a chair.
Patients displayed a greater sense of confidence in dentists who were kind and friendly towards them as opposed to what the study refers to as “victim-blaming.” Caring dentists are seen as “patient-focused,” as opposed to income-focused. Patients want to keep their teeth and see preventative care options as an indication that the dentist genuinely cares about their wellbeing.
Why We Love This Study
We see this study as outside validation of our business model. We are caring, compassionate people who want to see our patients have great smiles and excellent oral health. We focus on prevention because it is what’s best for our patients.
We screen our new hires carefully to make sure they will “fit in” with our mission to provide caring, compassionate dental care. We hire people who genuinely like and care about other people. We also prefer that they have a “lighthearted” approach to life and a sense of humour.
Have you ever walked into a dentist office and felt a pall as soon as you walked in the door? So have we. We vowed that our patients are going to walk into an office where the first thing they feel is welcome. We want your experience at eDental Perth to be uplifting. We want you to know that we genuinely care about you and that we want you to actually look forward to going to the dentist instead of dreading it.
To learn more about our full range of dental services, call eDental Perth today: (08) 9361 1728.
