SEVEN WAYS ONLINE DENTAL RESOURCES IMPROVE PATIENTS' ORAL CARE

Due to technological advances, the internet has become an essential part of nearly everyone's life. The ability to access the internet in the dental operatory provides many valuable dental resources from which your patients can benefit. Here are some ways you can use online resources to help you provide your patients with the high-quality care they deserve.

1. Look up Medications

Medications are constantly changing, and it can be difficult to stay up-to-date with all the available drugs. Patients also don't always have complete drug information. When you are able to look up prescription medications online, you can instantly get the information you need, such as drug indications and interactions. RxList is an excellent online tool to save to your favorites for reliable and accurate information on medications.

2. Provide Patient Education Resources

The internet is an extremely powerful tool when it comes to providing your patients with the knowledge they need to take care of their teeth at home. Colgate Patient Education provides valuable information on a wide variety of topics and is easy for your patients to comprehend. Another great tool is Colgate's newest online dental resource, the Gum Health Physical, which allows you to customize home care recommendations for your patient within a few minutes. This website also has several excellent visual aids to share with your patients so they can better care for their teeth.

3. Retrieve Product Information

When recommending a specific product, it can be easy for patients to forget the name of the item when they get home. When you are able to print out product information for your patients from the manufacturer's website, they will be able to locate the desired product in the store later on with ease.

4. Research New Trends

It is crucial to stay current on all the latest information in the dental industry. Sometimes patients may ask a question and you are unsure of the answer. Looking up the topic online from a reputable website will give you the insight you need to answer their questions with confidence.

5. Request Samples and Coupons

Every hygienist loves the opportunity to try something for free. When you make a recommendation to your patients, they also enjoy receiving a sample of the dental product to try at home. Many dental companies give you the opportunity to request samples and coupons online, allowing you to discover for yourself just how valuable their products are.

6. Schedule Patients

Setting up recall appointments can get complicated when scheduling them months in advance. If you are able to look up the dates of holidays and school calendars online, it enables you to set up visits for a time that works for patients and reduces the risk of having to reschedule an appointment. When you are able to go online, you can set up appointments when patients are already in the office; otherwise, they may forget to call when they return home.

7. Check Insurance Benefits

Patients often ask us questions about their insurance benefits. When you are able to look up patient benefits online from bookmarked websites, oftentimes you are able to find a quick answer for patients and with minimal effort.

The bottom line is that nowadays people are accustomed to having the internet available everywhere they go. When your patients see you use the internet to get the information you need for them, they know your office is up-to-date with the latest in technology and that you are making the extra effort to show that you care about their oral health care needs.

Takeaways

• Use online dental resources to provide your patients with quick and reliable information.
• Print out your recommendations to remind patients to follow through at home.
• Take the extra time to use dental resources to improve your patients' dental experience.

Why It's Important

Patients often expect technology to be a part of their dental experience. When you are able to utilize online dental resources, it allows you to fulfill their expectations and can help you deliver the best possible oral health care in your office.