Technology makes staying in contact with your patients easy. From traditional communication methods, such as the telephone and mail, to the Internet, email, and social media, maintaining communication with patients may actually seem overwhelming at times. How do you know which mode of communication is best for your patients and your practice? Today on the blog, our dental consultants provide the answer to this question.
Bryant Consultants recommends contacting your patients for three main reasons:
- Appointment Reminders
- Surveys/Reviews
- Ongoing Oral Health Needs
While the needs of each practice are different, we are providing some helpful insight on patient communication that might work for you. The best way to know which option works best is to partner with an experienced dental consultant such as the ones on staff at Bryant Consultants. We provide a complete assessment of your practice and develop a roadmap that will help you and your team to reach the vision and mission of your practice.
Communicate appointment reminders to patients
Appointment reminders are an excellent way to keep your books full and reduce no shows. Patients are responsible for remembering their own appointments, but let’s be honest, life is hectic, and we all could use some reminders every once in a while! And, we all know where those appointment cards end up. Here are some ways that you could send appointment reminders to patients.
- Automated Phone Calls – Most everyone has a mobile phone within reach. A friendly reminder that a patient has an appointment within the next 24-48 hours can be quite helpful.
- Email – Consider offering email reminders as an option for your patients. This can be helpful for patients that may be unable to answer their phone while at work. Most mobile devices now allow you to set reminders or calendar invites for appointments.
- Text Messages – Not everyone likes talking about the phone or is unable to do so during the day. Text messages can be automated or not, but offer a non-intrusive method of reminding a patient of their appointment.
Surveys or Online Reviews
Word of mouth or recommendations usually produce the most loyal customers, and the same rings true for patients at a dental practice. People often scour online reviews before booking a vacation or making a reservation at a restaurant, so why wouldn’t they check other people’s opinions before choosing a physician? Reach out to your patients that visit your office by sending a follow-up email or automated phone call requesting them to share about their experience. This not only helps you get the word out about your practice, but it also tells you what you’re doing right and what needs to change. Don’t ever think that your practice is perfect. There’s always room for growth and improvement.
Ongoing Oral Health Needs
Every patient has ongoing oral health needs, whether they come in for six-month cleanings twice a year, or need restorative dental care for fillings, tooth replacement, or orthodontic treatments. You should communicate with patients regarding these needs. To do this, have a well-designed dental practice website with effective SEO strategies. Use social media to promote new products and services and provide patients with facts and information related to dental health. How often you utilize these methods of communication will vary, depending on the needs of your practice and how your patients respond. For instance, some practices may benefit from posting to social media outlets several days a week. In contrast, others see a better return from posting five or more days a week.
Communicating with patients takes time. As a practice manager or dentist, you have your hands full, ensuring patients have the best experience possible. Let Bryant Consultants help! We offer website design, social media marketing, surveys, and manage a patient review system to provide you with feedback that helps your practice improve its processes. To learn more, contact Bryant Consultants today or call (877) 768-4799.
