A healthy dental practice should record at least 25 new patients every month. This may seem unrealistic, but with proper marketing coupled with excellent services, every practice has the potential to be on this level. The thought of proactively marketing your dental practice may not sound very appealing. You might choose to really solely on referrals from your current client list, it is evident that marketing will go along way into increasing your list. However, with the demands of patient care, it can be extra hard to find time to run the practice, marketing, managing and leading the team. To help you take your practice to the next level, there are a few key points that will help you succeed.
1. External/internal marketing- External marketing includes investing in billboards, television and radio adverts. You will however find that internal marketing is far less expensive and highly effective. According to research, you 70%-80% of new patient leads come from referrals. It’s therefore imperative that these two forms of marketing be exploited to realize the potential of your practice.
2. Provide flexible financial options- It’s important to include people of all walks of life in your practice. This means that you provide payment options for the unemployed, employed, those on disability as long as they have a way of financing their visits. Some of these payment options include;
Basically, the bigger the list of financial options open to your patients, the bigger the opportunity for a bigger client list.
3. Offer a variety of services- To acquire maximum clients; you will be required to expand your practice. This can be done by simply offering a number of services that are profitable, manageable and appealing to your clientele; this services include
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Teeth whitening
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Veneers
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Implants
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Maintenance
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Implants
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Care services
Having a wide range of services available to your clientele assures that there is always something to fit the unique needs of different people.
4. Better customer care services- The first impression you create with a new customer will determine whether they come back or not. Strive to assure that every patient customer who walks into your practice feels special from the minute the walk into when they leave. Ways to increase patients in dental practice includes how they are served, how your staff interacts with them and the conditions of your practice.
5. Maintain high levels of hygiene- Assure that your practice maintains high levels of hygiene this includes maintaining high levels of cleanliness and sterilizing of the office and waiting room. It should also be noted that the hygienist spends a lot of time with the patients; they should therefore, be well trained to educate the patients of good hygiene.
6. Follow up- One of the most effective ways to increase patients in dental practice is doing a follow up with your patients. Take time to call your patients after they visit your practice, this will go a long way into showing them that you care about their well being and how they are fairing after the treatment/procedure.
7. Gifts- Some of the ways to increase patients in dental care is by always assuring that your customers never leave empty handed. Small and thoughtful gifts add a nice touch your services and also show that you appreciate. The gifts should be inexpensive things such as
It’s also notable that gifts can be tailored to serve two purposes. One for appreciation and two for marketing, a cap that has a logo will evoke thought every time a new person sees it.
8. A better waiting room- Put more thought into the waiting and reception area. Make sure that it is comfortable, well lit and has a touch of class into it. This is because this is one of the rooms that your patients will spend most of their time in. It is also advisable to take time to educate the patients here as they wait. This can be done by having informative brochures that tell the patients all about you and your practice. This may include patient testimonials, photos, services provided and the technologies you use. Go a step further and have a TV, video and interactive animations especially for kids. Ways to increase patients in dental practice is all about having a good reception and presentation
9. Be a team player- Finally one of the other ways to increase patients in dental practice is ensuring that you work hand in hand with your staff. Hold regular staff meeting where you can ask your patients opinions suggestions.
With all the above ways to increase patients in dental practice considered, you will be on your way to realizing the full potential of your practice.
This article written with the help of emergency dental colorado springs Dr. Gary Moore