If you’ve ever wondered if there were resources out there for dentists and practice administrators who find themselves sideways with a patient for one reason or another, wonder no more!

A March 12 American Dental Association webinar will offer dentists and dental practice team members real-life solutions for managing…umm…let’s say delicate patient situations. Things like addressing cancellations and no-shows, tips for fielding phone calls from prospective patients and even guidance on the right way to dismiss patients from the practice will be covered.

The free ADA webinar is called "GPS Managing Patients Webinar: You Want Me to Say WHAT to a Patient?! How to Resolve Delicate Patient Situations with Tact and Diplomacy." It will be held from 12 to 1 p.m. Central time. The educational program is sponsored by the ADA Council on Dental Practice.

"Every practice can benefit from a refresher course on handling the types of conversations that no one wants to have," said Dr. Nima Aflatooni, chair of the council's Practice Management Subcommittee. "Shifting the focus of these discussions so they’re patient-centric can be a real game-changer."

Goals of the one-hour course include helping practitioners to:

  • Create and foster a practice culture that’s authentic and patient-driven.
  • Manage uncomfortable conversations with patients with sensitivity and professionalism.
  • Develop business and communications protocols that enhance production.

ADA member dentists can register here. And don’t forget to ask about eligibility for one hour of continuing education credit through the ADA Continuing Education Recognition Program.

The program will be presented by Denise Ciardello, past president of the Academy of Dental Management Consultants, and an entrepreneur, professional speaker, published author and co-founder of Global Team Solutions (GTS), a practice management-consulting firm; and Dr. Pamela Porembski, director of the ADA Council on Dental Practice in the Practice Institute.