Loyalty Builds Your Practice
Our survey results show that the main reason patients remain loyal to their dentist is because they trust them. This proves just how important it is to build strong relationships with patients. The best way to form a solid relationship is by being dependable in your clinical skills and taking the time to listen and display good communication when with your patients.
Your Website Content is Crucial
When it comes to searching for a new dentist, a Google (or internet) search is a popular step that patients are taking. Ensure that your website is full of engaging content such as online reviews and educational tools like videos and articles. Not only do these elements boost your website’s SEO, but they help build trust with potential patients.
Making the Initial Phone Call Count
The majority of patients prefer contacting a dental office by phone and, when they do, the friendliness of staff has an impact on whether they wish to attend said practice or not. Take the time to place the right people at your front desk that have a friendly tone and are properly informed so that they can answer patient questions.
Don’t Be Afraid to Keep Learning
Most patients have admitted they would prefer their dentist perform specialized procedures rather than travelling to a new specialist dentist. This demonstrates how important it is to obtain specialty skills and show them off when you have them, and the best way to do that is by highlighting those skills on your website.
How to Communicate Treatment Plans to Patients
Patients are more likely to accept a treatment plan if dental staff are able to effectively demonstrate the benefits of the treatment. The most popular way patients prefer to learn is from in-office conversations and demonstrations. Take the time to speak with your patients and be empathetic to their concerns. Conducting an in-office demonstration would also help visual learners fully grasp the process of treatment.
Are You Taking Advantage of Your Website?
Nearly half of patients would like to learn about new procedures and services from online articles. Posting educational articles and videos on your website shows potential patients your skills and creates a hub for existing patients to visit if they want to see more information on any procedures from the comfort of their homes.
The Power of Asking
With so many patients looking at online reviews as they search for a dentist, it is important to use your communication skills to encourage patients to leave online reviews for your practice. Our survey shows that more than half of patients are willing to leave a review if they had a good experience. Some ways to ask include asking directly in person, posting signs in office, and encouraging on social media.
Why You Should Be Running Facebook Campaigns
Facebook is used by 87 per cent of patients on a daily basis yet only a small percentage of patients are following their dentist on the platform. There is a huge opportunity for dentists to take advantage of the time their patients are spending on Facebook by running paid campaigns to build brand awareness, gain followers, or receive more visits to their website.
What Should You Post on Social Media?
When crafting posts for social media, keep in mind what would be beneficial to patients. Patients prefer to see information on new procedures and services, so share the photos of the new equipment you just received and share the educational articles from your website. Keep in mind that lifestyle and day-to-day content ranked low on the types of posts patients want to see from their dental practice.
As seen in the print issue of Oral Health December 2020
*In late October and early November, 2019, Bramm Research, a third-party independent research consulting firm, conducted an online survey on behalf of Oral Health. Based on a sample of 1,000, the margin of error is +/- 3.2%.
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