Maximizing the
Benefits of Your Dental Team & Dental Plans
By Brian DesRoches, PhD
The
new dentistry brings together a unique complement of skills,
knowledge, and capabilities with one primary focus: ensuring your
dental health. Working as a team, your dentist and the dental team
he or she has assembled wants to recruit you to join them in making
sure this focus on
new dentistry is maintained you get
full value from your dental plans.
The dental team has two major parts
that you may hear referenced during your visits: the "back" and the
"front." These terms refer to two very specific functions of your
dental team. The front office handles all the administration,
scheduling, dental plans, insurance and financial details, and the back office provides the
treatment.
Your front office team makes sure you know
about scheduling opportunities, handles finances, files with your dental plans and keeps the administrative details under control to provide
you efficient services and support. The back office team is thus free to do what
they do best: provide the best care and service for you. You'll find the
dentist, dental hygienist, and dental assistant ready to assist you during your
appointments.
The key component for success of any team is each member's commitment to do
their part. As a consumer and team member, your commitment to
new dentistry involves three
things:
- Maintaining your commitment to your dental health through regular
hygiene appointments and the daily practice of flossing and brushing.
- Asking questions and getting the essential information you need about
your teeth and gums or to understand any treatment plans.
- Staying open to options and opportunities that the
new dentistry offers
you by thinking about the information and feedback that your dentist provides
you about the status of your dental health and dental plans.
You can maximize the dental plan benefits with the skills and expertise of
your dental team by deciding for yourself what kind of relationship you want
with your dentist and the dental team and how they can help you achieve a
positive outcome for your dental future.
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