Patient Care Strategies in a Dental Surgical Office Setting
Date
Winter 4-27-2024
ESRP 9000 Professor
Linda Gaughan, Ph.D.
ESRP 9001 Professor
Linda Gaughan, Ph.D.
Executive Summary
This strategic research project was designed to improve techniques and strategies for a high-volume outpatient dental surgical setting, especially for the patients who have disabilities or disorders. The dental care alliance was established in 1991 when there were only two practices in a large southern state. Since, the organization has grown to over 400 offices in 23 states. The alliance was established to ensure dentistry is practiced with the highest level of honesty, integrity, and most importantly compassion that ensures patients the best standards of care. After an examination of the internal and external factors, it was revealed that the critical issue facing the local dental specialty center was the need to lower patient waiting time and establishing relationships between doctor and parents that will help provide the best quality care to patients. There is a critical need is to decrease patient wait times and high staff turnover.
Strategies for accomplishing this include providing a visual pedagogy for consultations that provide a visual support system and a colorful illustration booklet with basic steps to helps pediatric patients become more familiar with dental procedures and examinations prior to dental surgeries. Desensitizing patients and families to the field will provide information in advance and reduce stress levels of anxiety as will providing a more child friendly environment. Action steps required to effectively implement these strategies include, (a) establishing communication, (b) alleviating the child’s dental fear and anxiety, (c) promoting patients’ and parents’ awareness of good oral health, (d) promoting children’s positive attitudes towards oral healthcare, and (e) building a trusting relationship between dentist/staff and child/parent.
Document Type
Strategic Research Project-NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
College
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education
Concentration
Curriculum and Teaching
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Kamil L. Thomas. 2024. Patient Care Strategies in a Dental Surgical Office Setting. Capstone. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education. (191)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_srp/191.