Dentistry is my passion. It requires a high level of skill, focus, and attention to detail. I work hard to stay up to date and skilled on the most modern evidence based treatments, but dental treatments are complex and I would never be able do it alone. I rely on my outstanding dental team to help me provide my patients with the best care possible. This starts from the initial phone call, through the treatment process, to the routine maintenance appointments.
A highly trained and skilled dental team is essential to the success of a dental practice. I would not be able to provide such a high level of service and care to my patients without each and every person on my team. Every dental office is different and has its unique goals and mission, but one thing in common with all great dental practices is that they have an outstanding dental team.
Who makes up the dental team? Dental office positions have evolved over the years and there are many positions that some busier practices require that others do not. I am going to focus on the basics and discuss the most obvious and necessary positions on the dental team.
It all starts at the front desk. There is usually one or more front desk receptionists that may also hold the title of office manager in some practices. This is one of these most important roles in the dental practice. This person is responsible for many things. They are the first person a prospective patient speaks with when calling the office. They answer the phones, schedule appointments, process payments, coordinate appointments with other offices, process paperwork, in addition to many more responsibilities throughout the day. Most importantly, they build relationships with the patients and help reduce the stress and anxiety of coming to the dental office.
The next person you will likely meet at the dental office is the dental assistant. This person works side by side with the dentist and is a critical part of the clinical team. A dental assistant has numerous roles including greeting the patients, taking radiographs, charting, pre-op preparation, post-op instructions, setting up and cleaning treatment rooms, sterilization, lab work, maintaining the daily schedule, and chair side assisting the dentist during all procedures. The dental assistant gets to know many of the patients well, and they have the biggest role in helping patients feel comfortable and at ease before, during, and after procedures. An outstanding dental assistant is one that puts the patient first and creates a warm, comfortable, and friendly environment.
The next person that the patients will certainly build a long-lasting relationship with is the dental hygienist. Most people will see the hygienist two to four times per year. The hygienist is responsible for teaching oral hygiene instructions, cleaning the teeth, and providing tools and guidance for home care routines. They are also responsible for evaluating the teeth, gums, bone, and other structures within the mouth and alerting the dentist if there are any problems that require the dentist’s attention. A hygienist’s role in restoring and maintaining oral health is essential to the long term success of a patient’s treatment.
Rounding out the list is the dentist. I will not spend much time on what a dentist does because that is not important to this topic. What is important are the people that help the dentists do what they do at the highest level possible. A dental team that makes people’s lives better makes the world better. That is what matters. That is what makes an outstanding dental team.
Ryan S. Holbrook, D.M.D. has practiced dentistry in Venice since 2017. His office is located at 200 Capri Isles Blvd. He is a general dentist that practices all aspects of general dentistry with a primary focus on dental implants, and is a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology. Dr. Holbrook graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in 2012 and then completed a two-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the University of Florida. He is currently a part-time Clinical Instructor at the University of Florida College of Dentistry residency program in Seminole, FL. He is a member of the ADA, AGD, Florida Dental Association, ICOI, and is also an active member of three dental study clubs in Florida. Dr. Holbrook may be reached at 941-484–3885 or www.VeniceComprehensiveDentistry.com
