Why and How Your Dental Office Should Contact Patients

It’s easier than ever to stay in touch with your patients these days, from traditional communication methods like postcards and voicemails, all the way to social media and email! It can be tough to determine which communication methods are right for your patients and your practice.

There are three reasons for a dentist to contact patients. These are:

1. Appointment Reminders: Reminding your patients about upcoming appointments is a great way to keep your schedule full and reduce the number of last-minute cancelations and no-shows in your office. Below are a few methods by which to send reminders to your patients:
   • Automated Calls – Leave a friendly voicemail that your patient has an upcoming visit. Include the date and time of their appointment as well as any special instructions or additional information.
   • Emails – Smartphones can allow you to include calendar invites for appointments, so patients really have no excuse for forgetting!
   • Text Messages – Not everyone can or wants to talk on the phone. Text messages are a less intrusive way to remind patients of their appointments.
      
2. Ongoing Dental Needs
   Each of your patients has ongoing dental health needs, whether it’s a simple visit for a six-month dental checkup or receiving extensive restorative work. No matter the treatment, make sure you communicate with your patients about their ongoing dental health needs.
    
3. Surveys or Reviews
   Word-of-mouth recommendations have been shown to produce the most loyal customers among all businesses, including your dental practice. Reach out to your patients by sending follow-up emails or automated phone calls requesting that they share about their experience in your dental office. People are quick to leave negative reviews, but sometimes forget to leave positive ones. In this case, a gentle request is appropriate.

Maintaining open lines of communication with your patients is the best way to build patient loyalty and increase word-of-mouth recommendations for your office.Here at Pro Dental Designs, we can help you successfully market your dental practice, maintain your website, and teach you how to bring more patients into your office and keep the ones you already have! For more information about dental marketing assistance, please contact Pro Dental Designs today.