The coronavirus pandemic posed an unprecedented challenge for many industries. The world of dentistry is no different. Now that things are opening again, providers in every area of health care are noting that patients have higher expectations for the services they receive. You know the best way to ensure you have a thriving dental practice is to establish a community of repeat patients. How do you create this community? By ensuring you provide the best patient experience possible. Here are four tips to help make that happen.
Tip 1: View your patients as customers
Back in the day, a health care provider may have eschewed looking at their patients as consumers or customers, with the logic that such a viewpoint cheapens the entire process of receiving care. As a result, many practitioners tend to focus more on the technical aspects of their care. The reality is, patients are customers in every aspect of their care, especially as the industry pivots to a value-based approach. You could be the finest trained dentist in your city, but if your patients have a poor consumer experience, they may choose to go elsewhere or—worse—leave a negative review.
Tip 2: Convenience is the key
We all lead busy lives. Patients want more than just the ability to make an appointment online. They also want to make an appointment at the time and location they want, with the clinician they want, and without having to wait days, weeks, or even months to be seen. With the emphasis on convenience, look for telehealth—a relative novelty that became widespread during the pandemic—to remain a key component of the health care process.
Tip 3: The patient experience is bigger than you think
Your patients’ experience at your practice is influenced by every interaction between your office and the patient. These can include coming in for an appointment, scheduling an appointment, receiving an appointment reminder, discussing any side effects of prescribed medication, or even referring a patient to a specialist. Other factors that influence the patient experience include both the technical and human components of care, as well as how a provider manages the payment process.
Tip 4: Take advantage of technology
We already mentioned the widespread use of telehealth services but think about all the other ways that technological advances have changed the game for dentists like you. CAD/CAM systems allow restorations to be made chairside and installed on the same day, rather than wait weeks to have the permanent restoration fabricated and sent to your office. Digital imaging has replaced both traditional photography and the standard method of taking impressions. The advent of artificial intelligence, or AI, technology has all sorts of intriguing applications. An AI process may review patients’ data and come up with a customized program of care for each individual consumer. Next-gen applications for scheduling will suggest appointment times, locations, and if the services could be provided through telehealth. The possibilities are limitless!
Helping you provide the finest patient experience
To have your practice at its most efficient and profitable, you want to provide the best patient experience you can. Not sure how to do this, or even where to start? Let the pros at Bryant Consultants help. We use our industry expertise and put it to work for dentists just like you. We currently offer a free one-hour consultation to practice owners just like you. Schedule yours today by calling (877) 768-4799. And to keep up with the latest news and updates, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
