In 2020 alone, 65% of Americans knocked on a dentist’s door to have their dental issues addressed. This is a huge segment of the population. As a dentist, it is very important to get patients to come to your clinic and not the competitors’. To get it right, you’ve got to focus on Building the Ideal Patient Community for Dentists. This guide shares a few tips that may be useful in this noble quest.
Define Your Ideal Patient
Who’s your perfect patient? Maybe it’s Sarah, a 35-year-old mom of two. She lives in the suburbs and has a decent income. Sarah’s always on the go but values her family’s health. Or perhaps it’s Mike, a 50-year-old executive. He’s busy climbing the corporate ladder and wants a dentist who respects his time.
Now, what keeps them up at night about their teeth? Sarah might worry about her kids developing cavities. Mike could be concerned about coffee stains ruining his professional image.
Painting such pictures will help you know exactly who you’re trying to reach. You’re conversing with a real person here, not just a faceless ‘target market.’
Create a Strong Online Presence
Think about it: 68% of all online experiences start with a search engine. That’s a lot of potential patients typing ‘dentist near me’ into Google. So, you’ve got to make your website easy for them to use.
But even the slickest website won’t help if it’s buried on page 10 of search results. That’s why you must get search engine optimization (SEO) right. Use the right keywords, optimize images, make sure your website is mobile-friendly, and create great (and useful) content.
To succeed, hiring a world-class dental SEO agency like Best Results Dental Marketing would be wise. Such pros know the ins and outs of dental SEO best practices and can help your website climb those search rankings. That would give you a significant boost in your new patient opportunities.
SEO isn’t the only avenue to grow your presence online, though. About 5.17 billion people are on social media. That’s a group you can tap into and turn into your patients.
But don’t just reach out to sell your services. Share useful stuff, too. Maybe a Facebook post about foods that are surprisingly good for teeth. Or a LinkedIn article about the link between oral health and overall health.
Utilize Technology- Patient Community for Dentists
There are more smartphones now than at probably any other time in history. People spend a lot of time glued to these devices. So, why not use them to keep your patients’ smiles healthy?
Take the example of the busy Sarah, who’s split between her kids and work. She needs to book a dental appointment. With a patient portal, she can do it at 2 AM while feeding the baby.
How about a mobile app? Patients could track their dental health goals, get personalized tips, or even play a toothbrushing game with their kids.
Your job here is relatively straightforward: to make dental care feel less like a chore and more like a part of their daily digital life.
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Offer Exceptional Patient Experiences
Did Mike mention he’s training for a marathon? Ask him about it next time. Remembering such details shows you’re not just treating teeth but also caring for people.
It would help if you also worked on the ambience in your facility. Maybe you can play some calming atmospheric music in the background or have a fish tank in the waiting room.
It’s also best that you keep your patients occupied while they wait. Can you text patients when you’re running behind? Or offer iPads with Netflix while they wait?
Embrace Community Involvement
Your closest community is the best place to find your patients. Involving yourself in it is a great way to earn their trust while advertising your business.
So, how about sponsoring the local Little League team? Get them those ‘Brightest Smiles Dental’ t-shirts. They’ll look good and are great publicity.
You can also organize a ‘Smile Drive’ for the nearby homeless shelter. Collect toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and other dental hygiene products. Altruism is good for your soul and shows you care about everyone’s smile, not just paying patients.
There are also schools to consider. Volunteer to give fun, educational talks about dental health. The kids will love it, and parents will appreciate your commitment to the community.
Grow your community, and your community will grow you.
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Foster Patient-to-Patient Relationships
People love to share their experiences. Use that to your advantage.
Got a patient who conquered their dental phobia? Ask if they’d share their story. Their triumph could be the push someone else needs to book that overdue check-up.
How about creating a Facebook group for your patients? It could be a place where they swap tips on flossing techniques or share funny stories about their kids’ first dental visits.
You can also consider fun events such as a ‘Wine and Whitening’ evening or a family-friendly ‘Brush-a-thon’ for charity.
The idea is to create a community where your patients feel connected. It may take a while, so you’ve got to take it one step at a time.
Leverage Loyalty Programs- Patient Community for Dentists
How about a ‘Healthy Smile’ points system? Each visit earns points. Hit 100 points? Free teeth whitening. Got a patient who’s always raving about you? Give them a reason to spread the word. Maybe a discount on their next cleaning for each new patient they refer.
And who doesn’t love feeling special? Create a ‘VIP Patient’ tier. These loyal folks get first dibs on appointment slots or a sweet discount on cosmetic procedures.
The point here isn’t to bribe patients. It’s about showing them you value their loyalty.
Also Read: Smile-Worthy Web Design for Dentists: Crafting a Website That Wows
Measure and Analyze Results
How many new patients are walking through your door each month? Are they sticking around? Are your patients grinning from ear to ear when they leave? Send out a quick survey.
Have a review that mentions your hygienist’s gentle touch? Give her a high-five. Have a complaint about wait times? Time to brainstorm solutions.
Closing Thoughts on Patient Community for Dentists
Building an ideal patient community takes work; that’s a fact. However, the fruits that result from shaking this tree can grow and sustain your clinic for a long time. So, why not give these tips a try? Where you’re stuck, it’ll help to get the right experts on board. Together, your clinic may scale heights you didn’t even think possible.
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