Get the 411
Start gathering cell phone and email addresses for your patients now so you’ll be ready to go when you decide to begin using internet outreach programs to market and communicate with your patients.
Start a Dr. Oogle Campaign
When your patients compliment you, encourage them to go to the Dr. Oogle site for your city and share their good experience. www.Droogle.com is in many major cities and the site ranks dentists according to their positive entries. With just a little bit of work you can start bragging about being the highest rated dentist in the city. You’ll also create a very positive buzz in the practice that makes staff and patients alike feel good about choosing your practice.
Learn from iTunes and Ebay
If you’re like most people these days you have an iTunes account to purchase music and a PayPal account for Ebay purchases. Both require that you keep a credit card on file. You also leave your credit card on file when you make airline or hotel reservations, use a speed-pass at the gas pump or open a membership at Blockbuster video. It simplifies paying bills and saves time.
Offer your patients that same convenience when you accept assignment of their insurance benefits. Keep a preauthorized credit card on file and bill the patient’s credit card immediately for any balance remaining after benefits. You clear the account instantly and the patient doesn’t need to bother with bills. This is a win-win alternative to sending statements.
Consider Your Impact
Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to reflect on the blessings in our lives, the special people in our lives. Doctors, have you ever considered how special your impact has been through the years? We often talk about the impact dental teams have on their patients. Take a few minutes today and add up all the team members you have employed through the years. Take special pride in knowing that you have helped these team members support their families, put food on their tables and put their children through school. You have an amazing impact in your community far beyond the fine dental services you provide. Happy Valentine’s Day. Keep up the great work!
Hire the Smile… Train the Skill
We all know how true it is, yet when shorthanded it can sure be tempting to hire the skill and think we’ll train the new hire to be nicer and friendlier. Don’t do it! By the time we reach adulthood we’re either personable and nice or we’re not. You either know how to be a team player or you don’t and won’t. Okay, some people can fake it better than others but if you hone your interviewing skills you’ll see right past their charade. Nordstroms has the right idea that it’s the parents who teach people how to be nice. If you want your patients treated like guests, hire the smile.
The Sound of Laughter
Have you ever walked by your front office, heard the sound of laughter and wondered how much work was getting done? I’ve had doctors and clinical team members tell me from time to time “it sounds like they’re having way too much fun up there.” That fun may be what sets your practice apart and will result in loyal patients who are raving fans… and I have the proof.
Valmont Research recently completed a patient survey for one of my consulting clients. This group practice was interesting in learning about how their patients rated their experiences in each department of the practice. The survey produced extremely valuable information about how patients perceive the sights and sounds of the practice and how to improve the overall experience. Seeing the practice through your patients’ eyes is an invaluable gift for you and your team. Greg Drevenstedt and the team at Valmont make the process easy for you.
One very positive response we received was how much the patients loved the warmth and friendliness of the front office team. Specific comments included various versions of “keep up the fun in the front office.” Walt Disney’s philosophy of building success by treating visitors like guests in your home continues to ring true.