Hello!
Firstly I would like to briefly introduce myself. My name is Annette, I'm a dentist and I have
just joined the Remarkable Smiles team My passion is creating a beautiful confident
smile but I will touch on that in later blogs.
What I really want to write about today is the fascinating journey of changing practices
after 20 years. When you have been in a familiar location for a long time, you don't
appreciate the level of brain and muscle memory that runs behind the scenes, knowing
almost to the millimetre items' locations and can grab without looking.
To leave that and then find myself in a completely unfamiliar location, with unfamiliar faces, equipment and totally new computer software was more of a shock to the
system on my first day (think deer in headlights) than I was expecting. The first hour I did my 10,000 steps walking towards a clinical waste bin that didn't exist and then spinning around in circles like a whirly gig trying to locate the new position, much to the amusement of the staff members watching me wear a hole in the floor. Staff names were another issue, 25 news names thrust at you and lots of 'ummms' and looks of panicked confusion from me trying to
remember whose who.
I had 20 years of history with my patients from the previous practice, literally from birth to children of their own, and suddenly I'm from scratch with starting Every.Single.Patient. In general, it's been a huge overwhelming dump of data into my brain whilst remembering to ditch all the previously learned knowledge to avoid confusion - but surprised myself with how fast and well I adapted.
On the flip side there is the thrill and excitement of new challenges, showcasing my skills to a new audience, the fun of chatting to and getting the know new customers and team members, building new relationships and getting to use new,
updated and high-tech equipment.
What the whole process has revealed to me, is how intimidating it can be to a new patient entering the practice or meeting a new dentist, what is familiar and second nature to us, is alien and possibly unnerving to them. We must be mindful to not be too glib with our responses to questions, to slow down in our replies and to make sure patients have understood the message we are sharing. We need to create an atmosphere that encourages patients to feel comfortable to ask questions and never feel intimidated, areas clearly signposted - all contributing to making a positive patient journey.
Big life changes have many positive points, and I am thoroughly enjoying this journey but also the fact that it has helped provide insight into how patients feel seeing a new dentist or entering a new practice, just proves, you are never too old to either learn
or try something new!
Have a fabulous day!
Annette
BDS (U.Birm 1997) PGCert DHTI 2021
MCGDent
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