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When your patients need to schedule their appointment, you don’t want them to dread it. They should associate your dental practice with good experiences. Every dentist wants to be a good one, but “good” is too vague a term.

What are the qualities of a good dentist? What do patients look for?

Take your practice to the next level with a patient loyalty program with Dental Intelligence. 

Six Qualities of a Good Dentist 

Having the following qualities helps an otherwise average dentist be a good dentist. Being a good dentist means making a difference in your patients’ dental care, which will keep them returning and referring you to other potential patients. 

1. Be Considerate About Your Location

Being thoughtful about your location is essential to being a good dentist. When you choose an office location, you must consider more than the space itself. Think about the community around it.

Is your office in a convenient location for people traveling from work or school? Does it have enough parking for staff and patients? Is it accessible for those with disabilities?

Patients won’t be able to experience the remaining qualities below if they can’t reach you. Neglecting to consider these factors when choosing a location almost guarantees patients will arrive feeling frustrated. 

Another way to ensure patients have easy access to your office is by offering extended hours during the week or weekend hours for those who cannot take time off of work for their appointments. 

2. Be Open About Your Credentials

Putting your credentials on display or discussing them openly with patients creates a feeling of transparency and trust. Putting your Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree on display is a great way to establish immediate credibility. 

If you have any certifications for specialties like orthodontics, mentioning that can also put patients at ease. Having these credentials is important, but a quality of a great dentist is being able to share them with patients. 

3. Establish Your Reputation

Having a positive reputation as a dentist does a lot for your career. A good reputation will bring in new patients while keeping existing ones returning. To gauge your reputation, keep up to date with online reviews and your social media presence. 

Your reputation will stick with you throughout your career, so you want to ensure it’s solid. 

4. Practice Quality Communication

Sometimes, it can feel tempting to prioritize efficiency over quality communication. You might rush through answering patients’ questions or an explanation of treatment. While being respectful of the patient’s time is always a good practice, ensure you’re also communicating clearly. 

This means taking your time to thoroughly explain their dental care, carefully answering questions, and being honest about their oral health. Patients will appreciate the extra effort it takes to guarantee their comfort.

5. Always Be Professional 

Being professional in appearance and practice is vital. The first impression your patients will have of you is your appearance. Ensure that you and your workspaces appear organized. Taking the time to clean up between appointments helps accomplish this.

Always act professionally when working with a patient or staff member. This all goes back to establishing and maintaining a positive reputation. Patients will appreciate your efforts in respecting their time, working efficiently, and communicating effectively. 

6. Remain Empathetic 

Many patients enter dentist offices worrying they’ll face judgment for the state of their oral health. Some may come with an abundance of questions; others may prefer to remain quiet. Empathy on a personal level will look different for each patient. 

Be honest with your patients, but avoid displaying judgment. Explain to the patient that you’re there to help them meet their oral health goals. Above all, be kind.

From Good to Great: Dentist-Patient Relationships

Patients value a dentist who sees them not just as patients but as people. Caring about their overall health is one of the qualities of a good dentist. Securing a strong dentist-patient relationship can build a community within your dental practice.

If you have the qualities of a good dentist and want to take the next step, Dental Intelligence can help you get there. We have a variety of tools and technology to make your dental practice more efficient and effective. To get started, schedule a demo today.