A friend of mine recently received his dental recall notice via e-mail. Here are some excerpts from that message:
Just sending this friendly e-mail to see if I may find a time and date to schedule your dental hygiene appointment with us . You are due for your dental hygiene /check-up appointment any time after the 20th of May 
2014 .
Let me ask what you think of this message. Does it:
- provide a compelling reason for my friend to drive across town for this appointment? (i.e. spend 2 hours in the car)
- commit to any sort of health outcomes, which is my friend’s primary motive for driving across town?
Let’s put it another way given my friend is border-line diabetic, taking more than 2 medications daily, 2 years shy of 60 and thinking of his overall health.
In his case, perhaps a more compelling or interesting e-mail would go like this:
Just sending you this friendly e-mail about the importance of good oral health to overall health. Many patients in their 50s are at increasing risk to dental decay and gum disease so we would like to conduct a risk assessment of your oral health, and if at risk, provide you with more preventive care.
In our ongoing surveys of patients in their 50s and 60s, overall health is the #1 reason for driving across town to a dental appointment, and Prevora when at high risk, is the #1 preferred service.
I think the e-mail as written is a lost opportunity to educate and motivate. It simply relies on conventions and habits.
By: Ross Perry
SOURCED: Partners In Prevention – http://partnersinprevention.ca/a-lost-opportunity/
