Lamia Murray: Why the use of a TCO is important

Dentistry, a fast growing and forever evolving world of patient care. The role of a TCO has become fundamental. Lamia Murray, an experienced Dental Professional talks about the importance of this role and how this significantly enhances the patient journey while optimising efficiency of clinical procedures.

What is a TCO (Treatment Coordinator)?

A treatment coordinator is a vital part of the team. They are responsible for making sure the patient journey is smooth from start to finish. They serve as a bridge between clinicians and patients, providing important support and guidance throughout the treatment.

The key responsibilities of a TCO:

Enhancing Patient journey:

This is TCO’s job to make sure every patient has a smooth, informative and comfortable experience from their initial contact to completion of treatment. The TCO providers a supportive and trusting environment by addressing concerns and providing information.

First point of call:

A TCO is the first person that patients interact with. It’s important that they create a lasting first impression and set the tone for the rest of the patient journey.

Supporting clinicians:

The TCO allows the clinician to focus their time on delivering exceptional patient care, which includes managing diaries, holding the initial consultations triaging patients, taking scans and clinical photos.

Advanced Technology:

The TCO will often use tools such as cameras and scanners to collect all of the essential data needed helping to assist the clinicians with everything that they need to provide the perfect treatment plan.

What makes a good TCO?

Lamia believes that a successful TCO is able to combine skills with a personal approach. Lamia believes that the following qualities define a great TCO:

Excellent Communication skills:

It’s important that the TCO is able to clearly communicate information, making sure that patients are able to understand the options that have been given and feel entitled to make a decision.

Strong People skills:

Its vital that a TCO builds a rapport with patients. Patients should feel respected, valued and most of all comfortable.

Efficient Time management:

Having the ability to multitask efficiently ensures that both the clinician and the patient receives all the support that is needed.

Confidence:

Having confidence helps ensure that the TCO can nurture trust and reassurance with patients which helps address patient concerns and queries.

Why is the use of a TCO so important?

The Role of a TCO is about creating a patient centered environment, benefitting everyone who is involved in the process. Here are some of the reasons why the use of a TCO is important:

Building rapport with patients:

Patients more than often feel more comfortable talking to someone and sharing concerns and issues in a non-clinical setting. From this a patient is more willing to be open allowing to the TCO to gain a better understanding of the patients’ needs. This then allows to clarify a smooth treatment process.

Utilising clinician’s time:

A TCO enables the clinician the focus their time on handling and delivering the treatments and the clinical aspect of dentistry. The TCO handles the non-clinical aspects of patient care and support, improving efficiency all around.

Better patient journey:

Having a devoted TCO will ensure that patients receive support and communication at any given time. This helps to reduce stress and increases patient satisfaction.

The role of a TCO is crucial in modern-day Dentistry. This allows the gap between patients and clinicians to be closed. A TCO plays an important role with improving both the patient journey and the clinical efficiency. Lamia Murray has revealed that having the right skills and qualities makes the role an invaluable asset to any Dental team.

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About Riverdale Healthcare

Riverdale Healthcare is a growing, forward-thinking dental group with dental practices located across England, delivering a range of NHS, private, and specialist dental treatment. We invest in our practices to ensure we are providing the best patient experience, with care delivered by friendly, highly trained teams.