Ep 150- How can technicians and veterinarians collaborate effectively to transform your dental practice and deliver exceptional patient care?

Ep 150- How can technicians and veterinarians collaborate effectively to transform your dental practice and deliver exceptional patient care?       Quick Summary of the Episode: In this first part of a two-part series, Dr. Brett Beckman, board-certified veterinary dentist, interviews Annie Mills, LVT, VTS (Dentistry), his long-time veterinary dental technician. They dive into the importance of team structure in veterinary dentistry, the technician's role in streamlining dental procedures, and strategies to improve client communication and patient outcomes.   Guest, Cast, and Crew Information: Host: Dr. Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, DAVDC, DAAPM Guest: Annie Mills, LVT, VTS (Dentistry) Veterinary dental technician with over 13 years of experience working with Dr. Beckman. Industry-leading instructor for technicians and veterinarians in general practice. Main Talking Points: Team Approach to Veterinary Dentistry: The importance of having defined roles for technicians, anesthetists, and oral surgeons. Building a team structure that supports efficient and high-quality dental care. Technicians’ Impact on Dental Procedures: Essential tasks technicians can perform, including dental x-rays, pathology recognition, chart preparation, and client communication. How technicians can reduce anesthesia time and improve overall patient outcomes. Client Communication and Education: The technician’s role in educating clients about the importance of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment beyond cleaning. Handling anesthetic concerns and explaining advanced protocols to ease client anxiety. Retention and Client Trust: The importance of consistent communication with clients throughout the patient’s dental care journey. Creating trust through multiple touchpoints to encourage follow-up visits, especially for periodontal cases.     Interesting Quotes From the Episode: "Dentistry is a team sport – no one person should shoulder the entire case." – Annie Mills "The cleaning is incidental; diagnosis and treatment are what truly matter." – Dr. Brett Beckman "A confident, knowledgeable technician can transform a nervous client into a committed partner in their pet’s care." – Annie Mills     Timestamps for Major Segments: 00:00-02:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest, Annie Mills 02:00-06:30 – Importance of a team mindset in veterinary dentistry 06:30-12:00 – Technician roles: x-rays, charting, nerve blocks, and pathology recognition 12:00-17:00 – Client education: Addressing misconceptions and anesthetic concerns 17:00-22:00 – Creating trust and compliance through consistent communication 22:00-24:00 – Closing thoughts and preview of part two   Learn more about the Veterinary Dental Practitioners Program at https://ivdi.org/inv and request an invitation. Stay tuned for part two of this series next Wednesday for more actionable tips on elevating your dentistry practice.   (Veterinary dentistry team structure, Technician roles in veterinary dentistry, Veterinary client communication tips, Periodontal disease management in pets, Veterinary dental x-ray best practices)   Key Takeaways: Team Structure: The ideal team includes a skilled oral surgeon, an anesthetist, and a dental technician with clearly defined roles. Technician Expertise: Proficiency in dental x-rays, charting, and pathology recognition speeds up procedures and improves outcomes. Client Education: Emphasise diagnosis and treatment, not just cleaning, to educate clients on the importance of comprehensive dental care. Trust and Retention: Regular communication and a consistent contact person can improve client trust and ensure follow-up visits for ongoing care.   Affiliate & Sponsor Links: Veterinary Dental Practitioners Program: https://ivdi.org/inv Stay tuned for next week’s Part 2, where Dr. Beckman and Annie Mills continue discussing advanced techniques and best practices for veterinary dentistry teams!