You may have hundreds of patients – but what good is it if each of them are unhappy or on the search for a new dentist? Performing dental cleanings and other procedures effectively doesn’t make a dentist “great.” In today’s competitive dental world, it’s all about separating yourself from the rest and making your office a place patients look forward to visiting. Make your patients feel appreciated. So how do you create this atmosphere? Allow us to elaborate.
1. Dedicate adequate time.
Every patient deserves quality time and care given to their appointment. There’s nothing worse than feeling you’re just a number and the doctor has to breeze through your appointment to get to the next one. Patients want a thorough examination and their questions answered. So, make sure you dedicate enough time to each of them and cover all your bases. If that means you’ll have to see 8 patients instead of 10 each day, it’s worth the investment. The little extra time you spend with each patient will be worth it in the long run for your business.
2. Make it personal.
“Last time you were here you mentioned you got a new puppy – how’s she doing?” Those are the kinds of questions you want to ask your patients as they sit in the examining chair. Not only will you calm their nerves, you’ll show them that you actually listen to them. They’ll come back just because they feel they’ve developed a relationship with you – getting to know your patients really has no price tag.
3. Little gifts leave lasting impressions.
Patients expect to get a free toothbrush after their cleaning – they love it! Make sure you don’t leave them disappointed. Try making a goodie bag with the essentials: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss – but throw in a little extra something unique. It could be something as simple as a little guide on best brushing practices or a coupon for dental supplies.
4. Get your team on board.
Great service starts with your staff. Each member of your team should be motivated and passionate about their role in your office. How you choose to get them motivated is entirely up to you, but here’s a few ideas:
- Set up games/contests. Create a friendly competition between your employees that inspires them to deliver the best experience to your patients!
- Meet outside of the office and really get to know your staff – on a personal level. Developing a relationship with the people who interact with your patients gives you insight into how they are treating the people who walk through your door.
- Say thank you. Sometimes something as small as a card that says “I appreciate you and what you bring to the team” is all someone needs to feel they are valued. That attitude will transcend to their daily job duties.
5. Ask for feedback.
Let your patients know that their opinion matters. Do you want to provide the best service? Well, they’re your best resource. Ask them how they feel about their procedure (before and after), what could be done better, if they are comfortable in the office – whatever information you think would be helpful for you to deliver the best experience to each of your patients – ask them.
Developing an environment where your patients feel comfortable to visit is an ever-evolving task. You may run into roadblocks with certain patients – it’s impossible to please everyone. However, implementing these simple tips will (in most cases) differentiate you as a “great” dentist as opposed to the average doc on the block.
