What are the Challenges of Hiring a Part-Time Specialist?
Hiring a part-time Specialist doesn’t come without its challenges. Here are some potential issues and how we recommend resolving them so that the relationship remains beneficial to you, your specialist, and your patients.
Post-Op
Speak with your Specialist about what their ideal frequency of visits would be to serve patients and manage post-operative care.
If the Specialist is coming in only once per month, the referring dental provider must be able to handle some small post-operative procedures such as removing healing caps or sutures.
Some Specialists will prefer to come in more often to handle post-op and ensure the patient’s needs are being met.
Specialists will provide their direct contact information to patients so that if they have any post-operative complications, they can reach out directly.
Emergencies
Emergencies are always a possibility. Most issues can be prevented, however, when the dental practice team follows post-operative instructions, engages in care calls, and properly screens patients for treatment.
Certain emergencies will need to be handled by the dental practice’s GP in order to serve the patient promptly (such as when the patient is in acute pain).
Certain complications may require the Specialist’s involvement or may be able to be addressed in a limited form until the Specialist is able to see the patient in person.
In the rare event of a severe complication, the Specialist will coordinate directly with the patient and arrange to see them immediately.
Continuity of Care
In the event that there’s a termination in the relationship between a Specialist and Practice, Alliance Dental will attempt to mediate with the Specialist in order to have them complete all cases by their final day. We prepare for these situations well in advance and have multiple specialists available to serve your practice.
In the case that an implant fails before a crown is placed, we advise the Specialist to take responsibility for the cost of redoing the procedure (at their % compensation for that procedure). After the implant is restored, the responsibility of care falls on the restorative dentist.
Prosthodontics presents additional challenges for the GP since these procedures require more attention and care. While Prosthodontists are responsible for any post-op, tight coordination with the GP to handle complications is required in order to provide a high standard of care for the patient.
For Orthodontics, the biggest challenge is continuing care if the Specialist wants to leave. Alliance Dental will ask Orthodontists to provide ample notice so we may find a suitable replacement. Proper contract structure will also help facilitate a smoother transition so as not to leave the patients without care.
Hiring a part-time Specialist can be done smoothly with the right knowledge and advanced planning. If you and your dental practice are ready to take the leap and hire a part-time Specialist, Alliance Dental will provide you with the support you need. Learn more by scheduling an intro call with a member of our team.
