The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has adopted a new dental hybrid appointment model that enables patients to book their appointments across all DHA dental facilities through three options: walk-ins, booking through the call centre (800342) or through the authority’s medical records platform.

The new model aims to reduce the customer’s waiting time to 20 minutes instead of having the only option of walk-ins and waiting for their turn for long hours.

The model is a scheduling system that aims to enhance patient care service through incorporating both appointment and walk-in patients in General Dentistry and Dental Hygiene Clinics at DHA primary health care centres.

Dr Manal Taryam, the CEO of the Primary Healthcare Sector that the authority will begin implementing the system on July 21^st.

She added that this will allow patients to schedule their appointments ahead of time and choose their preferred dentist for their required service and for follow ups. Meanwhile emergency cases will be catered to during the clinics working hours from 7:30am to 9:30pm.

The new model aims to achieve customer satisfaction as it reduces the customer’s waiting time to 20 minutes instead of having the only option of walk-ins and waiting for their turn for long hours.

Dr Hamda Mismar, Director of Dental Services at the DHA emphasised that the new model will have a positive impact for patients who would like to organise their time and avoid waiting for long hours.

She added that it will also have a positive impact medically as having the patients schedule their appointments with the same doctor ensures that an effective treatment plan is put in place.

Through the new system, the patient will be able to schedule a follow up through three methods: the doctor himself can schedule a follow-up based on the patient’s treatment plan, the patient can schedule a follow up via the call centre or the patient can schedule a follow up through the medical records platform.