Small changes can result in big improvements to your patients’ experience in your practice. 

Let’s be honest, going to the dentist is not everyone’s favorite thing to do. The sounds, the smells, the sensations, it can all be overwhelming for patients both young and old. These days, dental practices are doing their best to not only provide high quality dental care, but also offer clients a complete experience in their offices. From the very moment a client enters your office until they schedule their next appointment, there are numerous ways you can improve your patient’s experience at their dental visit and give them that “wow” factor. 

Have a motivated team.

Your team’s attitude is one of the greatest factors in keeping your patients happy and relaxed. You, as the dentist, may be the leader, but it is your staff who spend the most time with the them, from scheduling to insurance to follow-up appointments. Whether you have a patient who has been coming in for decades or a new referral, you want to make them feel important and respected. Communicate with your team that listening to your patients’ needs is necessary and they should treat their concerns with respect. 

When you and your dental staff have a “shared vision” of your practice’s mission and goals, your dental practice will naturally grow and you will see revenue increase. Most importantly, patients will observe first-hand what a great atmosphere your office is and be delighted to return for future visits. 

Use social media.

Social media is a necessary tool these days to communicate with patients and keep them up-to-date on office protocols and policies. With ever-changing policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more important than ever to show how your office is keeping clients and staff safe. Use your social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter to recognize hard-working staff members, show progress in a patient’s treatment, and update your them on new protocols. If there are any promotions for teeth whitening or orthodontics, you can inform clients using social media to give them a total experience even outside the office.

General and pediatric dental offices use social media as the number one way to market to their clients and relate to them even outside the office. Dentists will post patient’s experiences on outlets like Instagram for new referrals and to give them a reminder of their comfortable dental visit. Making a Tiktok video of a patient getting their braces on or off is a great way to highlight visits and possibly entice others to seek services from your office.

Add orthodontics.

Millions of Americans request orthodontics from their dentist each year, which means not providing orthodontics as a service is limiting your scope of practice and revenue. Consider incorporating orthodontics by taking orthodontic courses like The Basic Straight Wire Course with Dr. Brad Williams. The course can help you gain necessary continuing education credits while giving you the confidence to provide straight wire orthodontics to your patients. 

A patient’s dental experience will drastically improve as you keep orthodontics under a single roof and avoid difficult transitions to outside offices. Patients will appreciate the convenience of being able to get a cleaning or simple filling while also correcting a malocclusion and improving their smiles. Your patients trust you as a provider, and by investing in your dental education and treatment, you’re able to better diagnose issues and create a treatment plan for those who are insecure about crowding or have a malocclusion that affects their TMJ or chewing. 

Have a personalized patient menu.

These days, dentists are always trying to set themselves apart by creating new experiences for patients. A great way to get them comfortable is to offer a personalized menu that includes comfort items to make the dental visit fun and relaxing. Some ideas to add to a personalized dental menu include:

• Choosing your flavor prophy paste.
• Warm hand towel or blanket.
• Ear phones.
• Free Wi-fi.
• A bottle of water.
• Relaxing music. 
• Free samples of dental products.

Offer cost incentives.

Sometimes patients associate dentistry with high costs, which is why they may avoid dental visits or put off treatment. We all have expenses outside of dental care, so it is important to be understanding that not everyone has the upfront payment for expensive treatment plans. Create a more comfortable experience for your patients by offering in-office plans for those with no insurance. Offer financing like CareCredit for those wanting to invest in dental implants or orthodontics, but who don’t have the finances ready. 

You know your office cycles and when production can drop during particular seasons. During a slow time, offer incentives like a discounted treatment plan for veneers or a complimentary teeth whitening if they sign up for orthodontics. This will motivate your clients to make a dental appointment and also show you care about them and not just the treatment plan and price. 

Going to the dentist can cause fear and anxiety. Some people simply just don’t enjoy the experience. General and pediatric dentists can create more comfortable, enjoyable experiences by listening and communicating with patients. When you implement treatment like orthodontics or offer incentives, patients will appreciate the effort and you will see a natural practice growth to your office. Interested in how orthodontics could improve your patients’ experience? Sign up for The Basic Straight Wire Orthodontics Course with Dr. Brad Williams today.