Healthy oral hygiene is always associated with positive well being overall and a boost in confidence. And surprisingly, it might be worth noting that visits to a dentist in Chatswood may not always be on the list of things for every resident, and that’s not a good indicator of a good dental routine. And this is not just specific to Chatswood but to the country as a whole. Meanwhile, according to a study conducted in 2019, 30.4 per cent of residents weren’t too keen on visiting a dental professional when needed. All-on-4 benefits you with better functioning of your oral cavity.
Although an appointment isn’t always a pleasant experience considering the stress and anxiety involved, having a regular consultation at least once every two or three months with a dentist in Chatswood can always be beneficial. And with over 130 practitioners in and around Chatswood alone, there won’t be a problem finding the right one for any dental needs.
To develop and strengthen your office culture, gather all of your staff members and have an in-depth discussion about your dental office’s day-to-day operations as well as its long-term goals. Have everyone write down what they believe to be the identifying factors, then work through them so each employee is on the same page. When each employee is working towards the same objective, they’ll be happier and more caring and your dental practice will thrive!
That being said, being a customer looking to avail of the dental services of any clinic, there are certain things to consider to help the professionals manage their work more effectively. Do this, and it’s a win-win for both parties, and no unnecessary time will be further spent for any future appointments. So, take a look at what they are below:
Be a Tad Earlier Than the Usual Time
This is important, especially when the patient is new to the clinic since there are a lot of formalities and paperwork that they need to go through. Better to deal with them at the earliest and not amid the appointment schedule” Meanwhile, not only is this less stressful, but it will also give the doctor more time to work on the patient without cramping their schedules. Consequently, it will be less demanding for both the doctor and the patient as they have more time on their hands.
Piercings and Ornaments Need to Go
Doctors need to work as freely as possible, and any ornament around the mouth area will only act as an impediment during their work. So respect their job, remove any ornaments like piercings, rings or studs, and keep them in the bag or at home before the consultation. It will also show how mature a person is and how respectful they are to doctors and their profession.
Take a Look at the Clothes
Take care not to wear tight dresses as this will prove difficult for you to move freely during the appointment. Hence, ensure that the clothes are light, breathable and comfortable enough for the body to stay in place for at least an hour.
Take Care of the Mouth
This ought to be on top of this list, but it should be obvious. Brush properly, floss and wash down the mouth to look fresh, comb the odour, and get rid of any food particles stuck between teeth. And as an extra precaution, avoid any meal before the appointment, preferably an hour before the time scheduled.
Communicate What’s Wrong and What Isn’t
Talk to all on 4 dentures and tell them all the problems regarding the illness or discomfort of the mouth. Tell them about the medications, past operations or procedures done, allergies regarding any food or treatments and any other diseases or health problems chronic or otherwise. This is important since the more the doctor knows, the better, and it will help them identify a possible solution in less time.
Fix the Next Appointment Before Leaving
Fix the next possible appointment date before leaving the clinic, so one doesn’t have to fuss about the next time. Moreover, it will also keep the routine check-up a priority.
Waiting times
The proportion of people waiting longer than they felt acceptable for a medical specialist appointment was 22.7%, compared to 18.7% of people waiting for a GP appointment.
People living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage were more likely to report waiting longer than they felt acceptable for an appointment than those living in areas of least disadvantage:
- medical specialist appointment (26.3% compared to 20.6%)
- GP appointment (22.2% compared to 15.2%)
Those living in outer regional, remote or very remote areas were more likely to report waiting longer than they felt acceptable for a GP appointment than those living in major cities (25.3% compared to 16.8%).
People who saw a GP for urgent medical care reported similar waiting times in 2019-20 compared to 2018-19:
- seen within 4 hours (59.4% compared to 60.9%)
- waited for 4 to 24 hours (10.8% compared to 11.2%)
- waited for 24 hours or more (29.8% compared to 27.7%)
People living in major cities were more likely to be seen by a GP for urgent medical care within 4 hours than those living in outer regional, remote or very remote areas (62.5% compared to 51.6%).
See Tables 6.2 and 12.2 in Data downloads section.
Potential impacts of COVID-19
The 2019-20 Patient Experience Survey did not explicitly ask about the impacts of COVID-19. However, it is possible that COVID-19 may have contributed to an increase in the proportion of people who delayed or did not use health services when needed in 2019-20 compared to 2018-19:
- dental professionals (30.4% compared to 28.2%)
- GPs (25.7% compared to 22.8%)
- medical specialists (19.9% compared to 17.4%)
