Show your commitment to patients’ lifelong care

Fazeela Khan-Osbourne discusses the advantages to referring. 

With demand for complex and certain elective treatments higher than ever, practices must look at their process for referrals. Referrals are good for patients, practitioners and for business. The rationale for referring is that a clinician must only make a diagnosis or decision and/or deliver treatment that is within their current scope of practice. If it isn’t, they should refer to a colleague who has the appropriate training, skills and experience. 

This shows a patient that you want them to have a successful, stable outcome. It demonstrates confidence and commitment to their long-term, continued care and to keeping them in good oral health for years to come. When a patient is told that a specialist diagnosis is needed, or that another practice is the best place to receive a particular service, they will appreciate your candor. Honest discussions and good relationships are the basis of loyalty, better engagement and positive partnerships. 

A good business decision 
Whether your practice is referring patients out or accepting referrals itself, the process can strengthen the business because happy patients will always be the greatest marketing tools. Happy patients come back, they complete their treatment and they also spread the word. They also want to stay healthy, so they will take on board your recommendations. The quality of your service must always be matched by the quality of treatment; when time and money have already been invested, people do not want to spend more of either on corrective work.