The coronavirus pandemic has left a lasting impression on everyone’s finances. Your patients still need professional dental care, even if they’re going through financial hardships right now. Your dental industry experts at Bryant Consultants want to explain how you can provide that care without creating “sticker shock” when recommending treatment to your patients.
Being willing to help goes a long way
Even if you have patients who have been fortunate enough to keep working during the past few months, they may still be looking for ways to cut back or save money.
It’s also important to remember that, if you have patients who have lost their jobs during COVID-19, they probably lost their dental insurance coverage as well. Approximately 56 percent of all Americans have employer-based health insurance. You’re going to hear these stories often; make sure you and your team respond with compassion and understanding during this trying time.
You also can make your patients aware of any incentives and payment options to provide treatment without heaping a financial burden upon them. Do you offer payment plans? Do you accept third-party financing such as CareCredit? Having this knowledge probably will be a relief to patients who are going through financial stress right now.
Transparency is the key
Now more than ever, it’s important to lay all the cards on the table when it comes to treatment and all the associated costs. This starts with the treatment plan, which also provides an educational opportunity to inform the patient on any dental issues they’re dealing with and how your chosen procedure is the best course of action to resolve the problem. This is also the time to go through the estimated cost of the procedure. If your patient still has dental insurance coverage, let them know what their out of pocket portion will be before beginning treatment.
Being open and honest about your policies also will increase your likelihood of patient buy-in. Try to relate to your patients on a personal level. We all go through financial troubles from time to time, and more people are experiencing those difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. No matter what is going on in the world, everyone still needs quality professional dental care. That means encouraging patients to take care of their teeth at home through regular brushing and flossing, drinking lots of water, and maintaining a healthy diet. Meanwhile, your patients should continue their regular dental cleanings once every six months, assuming your practice is open.
Dental Industry Consulting
Not sure how to implement these strategies? Perhaps you’re concerned about cash flow as normal routines resume for your practice. This is the time you can benefit from an industry expert—like the ones at Bryant Consultants. Schedule your consultation today by calling (877) 768-4799. We can work with any dentist, no matter where your practice might be located. Meanwhile, we continue to provide frequent updates on the latest news related to COVID-19. To stay updated, please connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
