It is no secret that retaining dental patients is key to the success of any dental practice. However, many dentists find it difficult to keep their patients returning for regular care. Having a careeer as a dental hygienist takes time, effort, and genuine concern for your patient’s welfare. You can only be as successful as your efforts to establish rapport and trust with each patient allow. Here are some effective ways to retain dental patients, and this post will outline a few of them. Keep reading to learn more.
Keep Them on the Schedule
The best way to keep your patients coming back is to keep them on a regular schedule. This means sending reminders for their cleanings and check-ups and being flexible with appointment times when possible. If you can get them in the door every six months, you’re much more likely to retain them as a patient.
Make Them Feel Welcome
Your patients should feel like they are part of the family when they walk through your door. This starts with friendly and knowledgeable staff and extends to how you treat them during their appointment. Make sure you take the time to get to know them personally and show that you genuinely care about their dental health.
Educate Them on Their Options
Many patients choose to switch dentists because they feel like they’re not getting all the information they need about their treatment options. Make sure you take the time to educate your patients on all of their options in terms of treatment and payment. This will ensure they feel confident in their decision to stay with you as their dentist.
Offer Incentives
Incentives are a great way to keep your patients coming back. Whether it’s a discount on their following procedure or a free teeth whitening kit, patients will appreciate the gesture and be more likely to stick with you in the future.
Continually Promote Your Brand
Make sure that you are constantly promoting your brand. This means having a strong social media presence, creating marketing materials, and getting your name out there. You want potential patients to be able to easily find you and know what your practice is all about. Promoting your brand will make you more likely to attract new patients and keep existing ones coming back.
Have an Outstanding Customer Service
One of the most important ways to keep your patients is to ensure that you offer outstanding customer service. You should also ensure that your staff is well-trained and able to answer any questions patients may have. Additionally, you should always be available to address patient concerns or problems. These are just a few of the many ways to retain dental patients.
If you’re looking for more ideas, ask your fellow dentists or look for resources online. With a little effort, you can keep your patient list growing for years.