Stepping Stones to Build Your Practice
Written by Tami Grigg
How do we grow our practice? Several dentists have asked themselves this question at one time or another and wonder how they can bring in more patients to their practice. It seems practices are always trying to come up with new ideas to boost production and bring in new patients and retain them. Here are a few ways to boost your practice and help it grow:
- Create a business profile on Facebook and post pictures weekly
- Post signs in your office, such as the front desk, that promote that you accept referrals and appreciate Google reviews and feedback
- Send out a monthly email newsletter to your current patient list
- Run a contest on holiday’s or once a month offering some type of free product such as an electric toothbrush or a gift card
- Updated technology that allows you to keep up with the times and change in dentistry such as laser dentistry and cosmetic/short-term orthodontics
- Flexible financing options
- Engaging with your patients on a personal level when in the office and sending birthday cards
- Offer a referral bonus program to your patients when they spread the word to friends and family and they refer a patient to you
As we all know, a lot of people also tend to go to a dentist that is in-network with their insurance. So if you are not in any PPO Networks, you may benefit from doing so in order to bring in more patients. Yes, what you receive for payment may be less per patient, but in the long run, it could boost your patient load and production by accepting PPO insurance and getting credentialed. You can always negotiate the fee schedules with the insurances in order to get a larger payment from them as well as reduce the patients’ out of pocket expense.
Also, keeping knowledgeable and well-trained staff will help you bring in and retain patients as well. Your staff are great tools to boost your practice with the education they provide to your patients and the care they give them, it is a personalized experience while in the office that builds that relationship. Make notes in their charts as to conversations held each visit, it shows you listen to them and their concerns. This goes a long way in making them feel comfortable with the care and attention they receive and will, therefore, refer your practice to their friends and family.
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