Introduction - Dream Team

A dental practice may have a terrific team of highly skilled individuals, but if they don't communicate well with each other, or if they don't value each other, the sum of the individual parts doesn't necessarily equal a great whole! However, when each team member understands behavioral styles, it is far more likely they will operate like a well-oiled machine and patients will be more satisfied with their care. Consider the following examples of conflicting behavioral styles and the impact on the team and on patients:

Sarah is a no-nonsense assistant, efficient, accomplished, and understated. But she becomes irritated with the dentist when the dentist gets too laid-back and chatty with patients. Sarah's mood can become apparent to patients who sense tension in the treatment room. The doctor avoids addressing the issue with Sarah and that leads to greater stress in the team.

Betsy is a superb hygienist who is a loyal team player and is adored by her patients. She is highly professional and cares deeply about her relationships with patients and teammates. But those patients who are very direct and assertive shake her self-esteem. She gets tongue-tied when they sit in her chair and her self-confidence evaporates.

Mrs. Jones is a long-term patient of record. She is precise and detailed in her communication with the practice. When the owner-dentist was on vacation, she had an appointment with an associate dentist. The associate did not provide an adequate explanation of her condition and moved too quickly into proposing a treatment plan. She felt rushed and left without accepting any treatment, and she was upset with both the associate and the owner-dentist.

When each person understands his/her own behavioral style and recognizes the styles of others, they feel more "in sync" with the team. Understanding behavioral styles also enables the team to relate to patients more effectively resulting in an increase in productivity.

Successful dental teams recognize why some individuals click and others conflict. There are logical explanations for our reactions to others which can result in an improvement in interpersonal relations.