Why Do You Need an Orthodontic Treatment Coordinator Checklist?
Orthodontic treatment coordinator checklist An orthodontic treatment coordinator’s success hinges on their ability to recognize and meet each patient’s unique requirements. Thus, the specifics of each treatment demonstration will vary, but the framework itself will be consistent. A good orthodontic treatment coordinator includes; Help the patient understand the importance of treatment, explain the positive outcomes, encourage a long-term commitment, and discuss reasonable payment options. This article will help you aid patients on their path to improved oral health.
What does an Orthodontist treatment coordinator do?
Professional orthodontic treatment coordinators work in dental offices and orthodontic clinics. When you work in orthodontics, your job involves assisting patients at every stage of their care. You highlight the major pluses and minuses of the surgical or dental procedure. Cost estimates, setting up a payment plan, and investigating the patient’s insurance are all possible responsibilities. If a patient has any concerns or questions before, during, or after their surgery, they will most likely come to you first.
What is the way to becoming an orthodontic treatment coordinator?
Customer support and communication skills are essential for a career as an orthodontic treatment coordinator. Normal requirements include completion of high school or its equivalent and acceptance into relevant college programs. Some dentists prefer to hire dental assistants or front-desk staff who can honestly and thoroughly explain procedures and their benefits. However, for treatment coordinators just starting in the field, there are plenty of dentists who are happy to teach by example. But you should be familiar with Microsoft Office and patient treatment agreements and insurance documentation, or willing to learn.
A Well-Managed Orthodontic Treatment Coordinator Checklist
You might think about who you should choose to act as your treatment coordinator. Well, don’t worry, because here is the ultimate orthodontic treatment coordinator checklist. Essential qualities in an orthodontic treatment coordinator checklists that you should cross out are:
- An understanding of dentistry and, more importantly, the dentist’s outlook on the field.
- Possessing exceptional verbal and nonverbal communication skills
- A polished professional demeanor and a genuine interest in seeing patients accept treatment.
- Methodical, well-planned, and persistent.
- An understanding of how dental insurance works so that patients can make good use of their coverage.
- Confidence in oneself to make direct eye contact with a patient
- Request a payment arrangement for a treatment plan costing.
- A positive outlook on the positive effects of quality dental care and a genuine desire to see patients smile again.
- The capacity to think creatively and resourcefully under pressure and with limited information or time.
A TC’s main responsibility is to schedule a patient for treatment and secure a financial agreement to cover the costs.
However, this stage of the treatment recognition cycle is frequently neglected, rushed through, or ignored. Take the typical dismissal of a patient, for example. Someone from the front desk takes over caring for the patient. The helpful receptionist has already printed out the patient’s treatment plan. All necessary information to calculate the premium and obtain coverage is included. Included are the costs of the recommended course of treatment. The patient is responsible for paying the total cost. Also, there are the costs that are expected to be paid for by insurance. A member of the administrative team will hand this to the client and have them review and sign it.
The process presented here makes a lot of sense. Patients, however, may experience severe sticker shock if they focus solely on the costs. Many people seeking dental care have no idea what it costs. When told that a crown will cost $1,200, most dental assistants and doctors become blasé about the topic.
Everyone who needs work that costs as much as your crown fee should go through a different procedure. There will be an increase in patient appointments at the clinic. Consequently, fewer people will become overlooked in the healthcare system. When you print out your treatment plan from the computer, it will be incomplete and small.
Orthodontic Treatment Coordinator Duties
While orthodontists do see clients, treatment coordinators (TCs) spend significantly more time with them. A physician will enter, suggest treatment, and then exit. Before and following that time, however, the TC works to instill motivation to undergo treatment. The TC is primarily responsible for three things:
Taking charge of the first visit for a new patient.
The TC plays a pivotal role in coordinating the initial trip. He or she coordinates the arrival of the orthodontist, all the while notifying the scheduling team. The TC then informs the financial coordinator, and walks the patient through the process themselves.
Controlling the flow of patients.
Always leaving a slot available for consults is a good way to make sure there are enough starts. Avoid monopolizing the orthodontist’s time by asking too many questions at each appointment. In reality, the orthodontist only needs five to eight minutes with each patient to secure a 90% acceptance rate.
Checking up on everything.
Orthodontic practices need to keep track of how many people inquire about their services, how many people visit the office, and how many people ultimately agree to undergo treatment. The treatment coordinator is responsible for keeping meticulous records of this data. In what number are the adults? How many young ones do you have? Who among your patients’ parents is sending you the most referrals? Exactly where are these patients coming from? From which high school did you graduate? Considerable information exists here that needs to be gathered and analyzed to aid in the development of orthodontic practices.
Great case acceptance rates can be achieved by orthodontists even if they are not naturally gregarious. Ninety percent of the time, a TC can persuade patients as well as parents to agree to treatment.
Revu Billing Can Ease your Problems
Dental billing companies vary widely in terms of experience, technology, customer service, pricing, references, communication, and contract terms, so it’s important to do your research before settling on one. If you outsource your dental billing, you can save time and money while providing better service to your patients.
Book an appointment with Revu Billing today for dental billing services so that you can focus more on your patients. Dentists can improve efficiency and productivity by using dental billing services, which streamline and automate the billing process. In order to improve the efficacy of your practice’s billing procedures. But before deciding on a dental billing service, do your research.
