Keep your head in the cloud, and your dental practice will benefit
When I first considered adopting a video-based patient education system in my practice in the 1990s, cost was my biggest concern. Today I’m happy to say that adopting a patient education system has been one of the best investments I’ve ever made, and has resulted in both tangible and intangible benefits for my practice. Cloud-based learning The system that I chose, CAESY Enterprise, has evolved into CAESY Cloud, and it has proven itself in every iteration over the years. With all of the presentations available on the cloud, we can access them from any computer or tablet in the office, and we never have to worry about discs getting lost or fitting servers into our space.
We also have access to the most up-to-date content, which is especially valuable with the cutting-edge tools we use in the office, such as CEREC and 3-D imaging scans. When CAESY updates a presentation or creates a new one, it’s instantly available, so our patient education presentations never feature old technology or have a dated feel.
An additional advantage of having patient education available on the cloud is that we are able to email patients links to presentations or add presentation links to our practice website. If a patient wants to view the content again at home or show it to their spouse, they can easily do so. With the old office-based system, we occasionally burned a CD to allow a patient to take home a presentation, but sending an email link is much easier for the office and patient.
Helpful illustrations
We use CAESY content in both our waiting area, where Smile Channel content helps patients learn about the services we offer, and in the operatories, where we use presentations to help patients better understand their specific diagnosis and recommended treatment. Presentations on root canal therapy, dental implants, and esthetic dentistry are especially useful for helping patients visualize the treatment with non-graphic images.
Occasionally a patient will say, “I don’t want to see blood!” when we tell them we’re going to show a video. With CAESY, we can assure them that the content shows lifelike but non-gory situations, designed simply to help them learn. The system is also very useful for Spanish-speaking patients with a Spanish option that informs patients even if there’s a language barrier.
Stronger patient relationships
I’m certain that use of this system has increased case acceptance in our practice, but beyond that, there are intangible benefits when it comes to the patient experience. When patients come to our office for the first time there is a clear message that we’re dedicated to helping them understand their oral health, and we’ve equipped our practice with the tools to do so. Patients have told me, “This is great; no one has ever really shown me what a root canal is.” I know they appreciate the emphasis we put on helping them truly understand recommended procedures.
My experience has proven that this type of patient education is not only informational, it enriches our relationship with patients and improves their perception of our practice. They think, “This doctor really cares. He’s taken the time to show me this to ensure that I really understand my condition.” Whether or not patients proceed with treatment, they clearly see that our practice is on the cutting edge and that we’re dedicated to helping them feel comfortable and well informed.
So if you’re wondering whether investing in patient education makes sense, remember that these types of benefits aren’t always easy to measure, but they do result in deeper relationships with patients, which certainly pays off in the long run.