When it comes to things that could make or break a dental practice, patient loyalty is critical. Your practice’s profitability depends on a steady stream of returning patients, and with steep competition in the dental industry, this is not an area that can be ignored. Retention depends on more than your bedside manner or your alma mater. Loyalty is not hard to achieve, but it does take effort.
Affects of loyalty on your dental practice
Loyalty is the general practice of patients choosing to use your practice over and over again while at the same time referring it to others. Though this may seem like a straightforward concept, patient expectations and experiences are varied, leading to plenty of differences in opinion regarding a practitioner. The bottom line of loyalty is dollars and cents, as retention has a significant impact on profitability. Loyalty is key to successful new patient acquisitions as well as a reliable source of consistent revenue from current patients.
Affects of the dental practice on loyalty
The way things are done in your dental office has a pronounced and direct impact on patient loyalty. Patient satisfaction levels correspond to loyalty, and the way your practice promotes satisfaction can drive decisions of loyalty. Here are several easy ways to create a more positive patient experience.
Make scheduling convenient
The frantic and busy pace of life can keep some patients from picking up the phone to book their appointment during your business hours. Offering online scheduling introduces a new level of convenience that your patients will be thrilled about. In addition to this option, send out reminders to each patient to help them keep track of when their next appointment is scheduled.
Sending text messages or automated emails can reduce cancellations, no-shows, and late arrivals, keeping your daily calendar full and your patients happy. Having one day of evening appointments can also go a long way in spreading the news about how accommodating your office is with busy individuals.
Supply patient forms online
New patients are often told to arrive at their first appointment at least 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork. This can be difficult and stressful. Instead, have new patient forms or other necessary paperwork available online that can be completed at a patient’s leisure before the first appointment. The increased convenience can save your office from a poor review on wait times. Send feedback forms after an appointment requesting input and reviews from their experience.
Pamper the patients
Small luxuries in the waiting room will go a long way to captivating the attention and thanks of your patients. Offer free Wi-Fi and create comfortable and stylish sitting areas. Have a coffee bar or chilled bottled water. Provide quality reading materials or have a television.
Develop Patient Loyalty Through Digital Marketing
In addition to these areas of change, let Doctor Genius handle your digital marketing needs. A strong website can do wonders for both patient retention and new acquisitions, and our team knows what it takes to develop a website that is engaging and conversion-ready. We will customize a plan to meet the needs of your practice and drive growth in your office through our digital marketing strategies. Give our team a call today to find out more.
Doctor Genius, located at 16800 Aston Street, Suite 270, Irvine, CA 92606, provides a range of services for practice success. We seek to meet our clients’ needs by providing a variety of marketing, SEO, practice optimization tools, and coaching to transform the healthcare experience. Though we work to provide the most accurate information, the content found on this website is solely intended for entertainment purposes. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that the information provided is entirely correct. You may not use the information on this site to cure, prevent, or diagnose a perceived medical issue. If you have healthcare-related needs, please speak directly to a healthcare professional. Never self-perform medical treatments discussed on this website. All images displayed are also for entertainment purposes only, and personal experiences may differ. Please note that the business tactics mentioned on this site might not be applicable to your industry or practice.
