The COVID-19 pandemic has produced sudden, significant changes in every aspect of our society—including the world of dentistry. After the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 (aka coronavirus) a pandemic on March 11, the American Dental Association issued recommendations on March 16, that all dentists postpone any elective procedures for at least three weeks.
Many dental offices, especially those located in cities or states where “shelter in place” or “stay at home” lockdowns have been issued, are only seeing patients for emergent dental care. No matter where your practice is located, it’s a safe bet that your patient load has decreased, even if you’re still open and providing what’s been deemed as essential services.
Given these uncertain times, you might be worried about the future of your practice. Your employees probably have similar concerns. They may be wondering if you’re going to close, if they’re still going to paid, and how these changes will affect them. Bryant Consultants has good news: just because your patient load might have dropped off during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s still plenty of things your team members can to do keep busy and help your practice grow once business as usual resumes.
Remember, content is king
In this time of social distancing, most people are staying at home and looking for ways to pass the time. That likely means they’re spending more time on their devices. Take advantage of this by having your team go to work stockpiling content for your practice’s social media channels. When your practice is busy and seeing dozens of patients per day, finding time to create unique social media content can be a challenge. Now is a great time to use this sudden surplus of time and continue to bring value to your business.
Your patients may look to you as your dentist for some advice and expertise since you’re a medical professional. Or, they might be looking for something silly and light-hearted to distract themselves from the news. Either way, posting quality content on social media can be a great way to continue to build brand awareness.
Content Tips
- Update Website Photos: This might mean posting new pictures of the members of your team, or uploading photos showcasing your remodeled lobby or a new tool or piece of technology you recently incorporated into your program of care. Feel free to contact us for a complimentary list of new photo ideas. This could include before-and-after photos of past patients to help showcase some of the great work your team has been doing as of late.
- Fresh Information: Do you have any new employees? Have any members of the team had major life changes or received new certifications? Have you, as the practicing dentist, taken up any new specialties as part of your commitment to continuing education? Now is the time to pass along that information to your current and potential clients. Update the bios of each member of your team and make sure the existing information is still correct and up to date.
- Marketing Audit: Touch base with your dental practice consultant. This slowdown of patient care represents a fine time to revisit your site and make sure all the services pages are correct. The science of dentistry changes rapidly, and your approach to certain procedures and treatments may have changed. Your consultant also can review the overall workings of your practice, allowing you to fine-tune your approach before normal routines of care resume.
- Social Media Videos: Break out your camera and your creativity. These videos don’t have to be very long—30 to 60 seconds should suffice. Content ideas include tips for patients when caring for their teeth at home, interviews with members of the team, or showing off your cleaned and sanitized office. Contact us for a more comprehensive list of ideas.
- Reviews – Reach out to your client list and encourage them to leave reviews of your office. Positive reviews can serve as one of the best ways to grow your practice, as there’s no advertising to replace that word of mouth.
Dental Practice Consulting During COVID-19
We understand this is a stressful time for everyone, and we are here to help. Download our dental practice plan during the coronavirus pandemic. In the meantime, if you have any specific questions about how to manage your team during this slowdown in care, or you’re an existing client seeking guidance, contact us by calling (877) 768-4799. We provide consultation, training, and coaching to help improve the operations of your practice so that you can provide exceptional service to your patients. We encourage you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to receive immediate updates regarding coronavirus pandemic.
