Dental Photography involves an invaluable set of professional skills. Dental nurses and other dental care professionals can gain specific knowledge in this field and confidently, develop in their personal careers. Dental Photography is within a Dental Nurse’s Scope of Practice. Dental Photography is also extremely beneficial and useful to have integrated into the systems and structures of a dental practice. Good photography can demonstrate the high level of clinical work provided by the dental practice.
Dental Photography helps to boost Documentation, Communication and Marketing of a dental practice.
Building portfolios
This involves ‘Before and After’ photographs of patient treatment including: implants, crowns,fillings,inlays, veneers and orthodontics. Portfolios for the practice can be produced and presented in the form of a magazine or as part of the website. The individual practice can choose how they want to display their photographic portfolios.
It is really important for patients to gain an understanding of treatment and see how things actually work. Photographic portfolios mean that patients can view real life ‘Before and After’ effects. Having a wide range of examples means that there are many different cases that patients can relate to, for example, different bites and different coloured teeth. A good dental practice updates these examples regularly. Patients can be reassured by portfolios. Portfolios can help patients to make decisions regarding whether to go ahead with treatments that they might need.
- Personal portfolios:
Individuals who are trained in Dental Photography can also put together a personal portfolio of the work they have carried out or treatment they have been involved in. This enhances an individual’s professional profile and can be used as a source of reference.
Referrals
Often, you may need to refer a patient to a specialist. Dental Photography speeds up this process, as the specialist can use the photographs in their
understanding of the case.
- Pathological Changes:
Dental Photography allows you to keep records of individual cases. For example, if you record tissue changes on a patient and you want to review this in a months time you can see if the size or colour has changed.
Time saving
If dental nurses or other team members are trained in Dental Photography this means that dentist’s can save time our of their diary- systems just need to be implemented to make this work!
- Reputation:
If dental nurses are able to take pictures then this looks really good to the patient. The patient will feel reassured that the team are highly trained.
Treatment planning presentations and patient education
When showing a patient their detailed photographs they can understand their own problems and therefore the prescribed treatment plan can move forward with greater ease. This results in patients having a clear view and understanding of what is going on in their mouth. Dentists can also present photographs to patients to demonstrate where fillings might be necessary. Rather than just telling patients what needs to be done, Dental Photography gives dental professionals the opportunity to educate their patients.
- Legal protection:
All new patients whether new or undergoing treatment should have the entire case documented. This includes study models and lab work. It is a safe precaution to make as there is always the possibility that legal issues may arise. For example disputes concerning whitening treatment, when patients think that their teeth haven’t changed colour. Having visual records of a patient’s teeth will protect dental practices and dental care professionals.
Laboratory communication
How often does a dentist send impressions for diagnostics and cosmetic/restorative work to a laboratory with good quality patient images? The answer is not very often. If technicians were also sent photographs it means that they can use these photographs to accurately fabricate a restoration with a colour match that is perfect. The laboratory will be able to determine the correct shades due to photographs of the prep shades as well as the desired end result. This makes a great difference and saves both technicians and dental practices a lot of time.
- Dental Photography means that patients can feel confident in their treatment decisions.
- Dental Photograph will truly enhance patient education.
- Dental Photography enhances Record Keeping
- Dental Photography will save time and money.
- Dental Photography is also a security measure.
- Dental Photography will ensure accurate and the best possible results.
“As they say proof is in the pudding and Dental Photography is proof!”