How to Run a Successful Hygiene Department in Your Dental Practice

In a dental practice, the hygiene department is the frontline of patient care. It's where professionals work closely with patients to clean teeth, educate about oral health, screen for diseases, and provide preventive care that can save smiles.

But how do you make sure this aspect of your business is not just functioning but thriving? As experts in dental consulting in South Florida, we’re all about helping you turn your hygiene department into a welcoming, caring, and effective part of your practice.

In this blog, we’ll teach you some key concepts on extraordinary hygiene to guide your business toward success.  

Learn These Concepts for a Thriving Hygiene Department

Co-Discovery of Patient Needs

Co-discovery refers to dental professionals creating a space where patients do more than hear what treatments they need. Instead, they get to explore and understand their own dental needs. Think of it as a two-way conversation where everyone gets to contribute.

The key to co-discovery? Talk less, listen more. When hygienists and dentists ask open-ended questions, such as "Tell me more about what you know," or "What matters to you about your dental health?", patients express their thoughts and concerns. As a result, you will get a clearer picture of what they understand about their oral health and treatment options.

Co-discovery allows for a friendly, open dialogue that makes dental visits more meaningful and effective for everyone involved.

Prevention of Oral Problems

A dental hygienist is much more than a professional who cleans teeth. They are like a personal coach for oral health, keeping teeth and gums healthy so patients don't have to deal with cavities or gum disease later on.

Many practices tend to rely too much on treating existing problems and overlook the importance of prevention and education. Such a limited approach is like patching up a leaky boat instead of finding a way to keep the water out in the first place.

While treatment is one of the top priorities, the absence of a strong preventive strategy can lead patients to experience the same issues repeatedly. Hygienists must teach the best brushing and flossing tricks, give advice on what foods are teeth-friendly, and perform regular cleanings to keep plaque and tartar at bay.

Patients who experience fewer dental problems are more likely to trust and value their dental care providers, fostering long-term relationships and enhancing the reputation of your practice.

To determine whether your hygiene department is focusing enough on prevention, you can ask yourself questions like:

• Do we spend all the necessary time asking patients about their at-home care routine?
• Do we educate my patients enough about their health?
• Do we show enough interest in their needs and questions?

Internal Marketing

When given the chance, hygienists can promote your dental practice from the inside. For instance, they can shine a spotlight on the quality work that other team members have performed, or even seize the right moment and ask for referrals.

Imagine this: a patient is impressed with the care they receive and they mention it. That's the perfect moment for a hygienist to step in and say, "I'm so glad you're happy with your treatment! If you know anyone else who would love the kind of care you received, we're always here to help."  A simple, genuine conversation is an authentic way to ask for referrals.  

By doing this, hygienists help spread the word about the great work the practice does. It's a friendly, personal touch that makes patients feel valued and helps the practice grow by welcoming more wonderful patients like them.

Technology as a Means to Teach

Hygienists who understand how the technology of their office works can do wonders. After learning how to use each piece of equipment and grasping its benefits, they can share this knowledge with patients and educate them on their oral health.

For example, instead of just telling a patient about a specific dental issue, a hygienist can show them using tools like lasers, oral health scans, intra-oral cameras, and even advanced technology for oral cancer screenings. This way, they can make explanations more interactive and engaging while helping patients see and understand their dental conditions better.

Advocacy

Hygienists should support, defend, and speak up for the people receiving treatment at their practice. They should aim to clear the path for patients, helping them understand their health needs and what's involved in their long-term care.

Here's what effective advocacy looks like:

• Acknowledging Patient Concerns: It all starts with recognizing the worries and problems that patients bring to the dental chair. Every concern, big or small, deserves attention.
• Listening Actively: Hygienists need to help patients differentiate between facts and their emotions or fears.  
• Providing Professional Insight: Hygienists should offer their professional viewpoints, drawn from their experience. With knowledge from a trusted source, patients gain a clearer understanding of their oral health and the treatments available.
• Giving Personalized Care: Effective advocacy means tailoring the approach to fit what each individual wants and needs.

Hygienists as Leaders

Top-notch hygienists often wear a second hat – that of a business partner alongside the practice's owner. Having this mindset lets them deliver stellar patient care while understanding and contributing to the business side of the practice.

For a hygienist to truly stand out and achieve the highest level of success, they need to focus on key performance indicators (KPIs), such as:

• Daily and Hourly Production: Measures the amount of work a hygienist completes in a day or an hour.
• ‍Hygiene Production in Comparison to Full Practice Production: Helps understand how the hygiene department contributes to the overall financial health of the practice. ‍
• Periodontal Percentage: Shows the proportion of patients receiving periodontal care. ‍
• Fluoride Percentage: Shows the frequency of fluoride treatments provided. ‍
• Recare Effectiveness Rate: Shows how effectively the practice manages patient recall, a critical factor in maintaining consistent patient care and practice revenue.

Interested in Improving Your Hygiene Department with Dental Consulting in South Florida?

At Fortune Management South Florida, we're here to help you build a motivated dental team and achieve your goals. Ready to elevate your practice? Contact Brian Houlahan, your Palm Beach County dental practice coach, and start today!