Tips for Running a Successful Dental Practice

How to Increase Profit In Your Dental Practice

Tips for Running A Successful Dental Practice

Best Tips for Running A Successful Dental Practice in 2021

Patient retention rates are affected by how you run your dental office. As you know, running a dental practice is not easy, especially if it’s your new at it. Even the best dentist may have trouble running a successful practice. The way you run your practice will influence your patients’ experience, therefore affecting your ROI. Our Digital Doc team has worked with thousands of dentists worldwide. Below are a few tips for running a successful dental practice.

What Distinguishes Your Dental Practice?

It’s obvious that there are dental practices everywhere. So, what sets you apart from all of the rest? It can be difficult to show prospects why they should become an established patient. A few things that could help you stand out are identifying what matters most to them. Patients these days want to go to a dentist who has a beautiful office, friendly staff, advanced dental technology, and a great reputation. It’s not just about the service you provide, but how you make them feel. We’ve seen more and more dental offices putting effort into making an aesthetically pleasing office. Make your office fun, warm, and inviting. 

Office Culture

As we mentioned before, there’s a lot more that goes into creating the perfect experience for your patients. If you’re struggling to run a successful dental practice, dive a little deeper into office culture. The environment of your office will directly affect your patients. If something is off between team members, they will notice. Consider doing daily and weekly team meetings, team bonding, or offering incentives. Talk it through with your team and find out what they’d like to change. Happier employees will help your office culture!

Expand Services & Dental Technology

When it comes time to expand your patient base, consider how you may improve value. Many dental offices today are investing in advanced dental technology. Dental products such as intraoral cameras, dental sensors, and portable x-rays show patients that their oral health is valued. Additionally, completing continuing education credits will show patients that you are staying on top of the latest dental practices. Be sure to utilize your marketing to showcase your new certifications.

Flexible Financial Options

Now more than ever, patients do not have dental insurance. Many dental practices offer new patient specials or financial options. If you are not offering this to your patients, you could be losing out on new leads. Aside from insurance, accessible financial alternatives include debit, credit, personal check, and cash, as well as customized financing to guarantee that personal financial situations do not interfere with oral health care selections.

Get More Patients Referrals

Nothing beats a word-of-mouth reference when it comes to expanding your patient base. A trustworthy referral from a friend, family member, colleague, or even the internet may be the only reason a patient picks your dental clinic over another. Our friends Dr. Cody Boals and Dr. Alexa Johnson, your Colorado Springs dentists, love doing monthly giveaways and smile makeovers. They recommend promoting these giveaways on social media. This is another great way to impatient patient referrals. 

Now that you have some tips for running a successful dental practice, you can start working on becoming the best local dentist in your area. For more information on our dental products, contact Digital Doc today! You may also schedule a free virtual demonstration with your Digital Doc representative!

Why Dentists Lacking New Dental Technology Are Being Left Behind

Why Dentists Lacking New Dental Technology Are Being Left Behind - Digital Doc LLC

Why Dentists Lacking New Dental Technology Are Being Left Behind

Why Dentists Lacking New Dental Technology Are Being Left Behind in 2021

 

We can all agree that technology has changed immensely over the last few years. These changes are constant and rapid, but that doesn’t mean everyone is adapting them. In the dental industry, dental practice owners have to be innovative if they want to stay relevant. In this article, we discuss why dentists lacking new dental technology are being left behind in 2021. 

 

Communicate Effectively With Your Patients

One very good way to effectively communicate with your customers is through intraoral cameras. Digital Doc’s intraoral cameras provide excellent imagery. Through these crystal clear images, patients can get a better understanding of their oral health. Thus it is as beneficial for the dentist as it is for the patient. The latest technology in intraoral cameras is the IRIS X80 Liquid Lens Auto-Focus by Digital Doc. This camera provides the highest quality available in the market. The main advantage of using the IRIS X80 is that it is plug and play ready, has liquid lens autofocus, and an extremely sturdy frame. Today, customers appreciate photography more than ever before. Using Digital Doc’s intraoral cameras allows you to show patients what’s going on with their mouths clearly. Upgrading your dental technology is certainly worth the return.

Other Ways You Can Communicate With Your Patients

How you can effectively communicate with patients:

  • Explain the advanced dental technology: Not every patient will be receptive to the use of new technology. So it is better to explain detail how technology can improve their treatment and describe step by step how it works.
  • Partner in decision making: Instead of telling your patient what needs to be done, try to get them to participate in decision making. You can explain the pros and cons of treatment options. Patients will appreciate being involved, and it also gives them a sense of control.
  • Social media: Social media is a perfect platform to educate your patients. Social platforms give you the freedom to display what you have to say in great detail through pictures and videos. Also, you can reach a bigger audience on social media.

Why You Should Upgrade Your Dental Technology

It can be hard to keep up with all the latest technology. A good amount of dentistry’s older generation is missing out on amazing opportunities to grow their dental practice and patient base. Simple dental technology updates like switching to the IRIS X80 intraoral camera can drastically change the efficiency of running your practice. Intraoral cameras allow you to SEE MORE and DO MORE! Today, the majority of patients will choose a more modern dental office over a traditional dental office. Don’t worry, it’s not too late to upgrade your dental equipment. If you’re a dentist lacking new dental technology, contact us at Digital Doc, and we will schedule a virtual demo!

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in October 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 



How Can a Digital Doc Camera Boost My Practice?

how can digital doc camera boost my practice - Digital doc

How Can Digi Doc Boost My Practice?

How Can a Digital Doc Camera Boost My Practice in 2021

For over 20 years, Digital Doc has been making the best intraoral cameras in the industry. Our high-quality dental cameras are enabling dental offices to See More, Do More for their patients. Patients who choose Digital Doc will see a 10% increase in revenue with a camera per provider following our 12 images in 2 minutes protocol. Cathy Jameson recently told Brett Wilson, President of Digital Doc, that she has tracked revenue increase for 30 years and offices using cameras as described above see an average of 30% increase in revenue. This boost to dental offices is made possible by our digital cameras in several ways. So, you may be asking yourself, how can a Digital Doc camera boost my practice? Find out below. 

Digital Doc Cameras Have High Image Quality

We live in an HD world today, agree?  When you watch a football game can you tell if the game is standard definition or high definition? At Digital Doc, we know that the quality and accuracy of diagnosis in the dental field, and all fields of medicine, highly depends on the quality of the diagnostic images a doctor reviews. Our IRIS X80 Intraoral Camera takes intraoral images to a whole new level of quality.

The crystal clear images that clinicians can access using our dental cameras are second to none. They not only enable the doctor to see more, do more, but they also give the patient the perspective of the doctor. So, the gravity of a dental problem is clearly appreciated, and the urgency for treatment stands out clearly. The X80 offers a wide variety of benefits. Some benefits include the autofocus camera, and plug and play use, and dual capture buttons. 

This means that with a Digital Doc camera in your dental office, diagnosis, and getting patients to accept treatment will get a whole lot easier.

Ease of Use

Many dental practices have equipment that remains unused simply because the dental assistants and other staff members find that equipment difficult to use.

At Digital Doc, we look at and rely on two approaches to making sure that our intraoral cameras will be welcomed and used by dental offices.

First, we include our 12-in-2 training that dental offices get when they acquire our cameras. We even provide virtual demonstrations of how our cameras can be used so that every member of the team can have a chance to learn how to get the best from these best-in-class HD intraoral cameras.

Secondly, we devote a lot of time, personnel, and other resources to continuously improving the ease of use of our dental cameras. Some of the results of our efforts in this direction are seen in the IRIS X80 Camera. The X80 comes with the autofocus capabilities mentioned earlier, dual capture buttons that allow left-handed and right-handed clinicians to use their preferred hand to capture images, and many other carefully selected features.

The work at your dental office will, therefore, be greatly eased if you partner with us as your provider of digital dental technology, such as intraoral cameras.

Unparalleled Support from Our Digital Doc Team

We don’t stop at selling you our equipment and then leaving you to figure out how to use them. At Digital Doc, we know that transitioning to new dental technology often comes with a steep learning curve, and staff members will adapt at different rates.

This isn’t a journey you should walk alone. We stand by you through the journey so that you can get timely help in dealing with any issues that could arise. After all, we know our equipment better than anyone else, so we make our expertise available by phone or email.

There’s no need to worry when you have the support of the entire Digital Doc team. For troubleshooting or other questions, please contact the Digital Doc Support team.

how can digital doc camera boost my practice - Digital doc

Deepening Interactions with Patients

Dental offices thrive based on the kinds of relationships they have with their patients. These relationships are harder to cultivate and maintain today in a metrics-driven era of dentistry, and medicine in general.

An intraoral camera from Digital Doc is just what your dental office needs to create and deepen your interactions with patients. For example, once the images are captured, they can be displayed in real-time on a large screen within the operatory. As those different images come up, the clinician can explain each image to the patient and identify key areas of the image that point to a certain diagnosis and the needed treatment for that condition seen.

Many times, those images alone are enough to put the patient in the driver’s seat in terms of appreciating how urgent treatment is. Your interaction with the patient enables that patient to be satisfied with the services that are available at your dental office, and with high patient satisfaction rates comes more revenue from patient loyalty and referrals of other patients by the existing ones.

Contact Digital Doc 

By now, you should understand why so many dental offices are benefiting from the dental technology at Digital Doc. What now remains is for you to make your needs known to us so that we can recommend the best way to add these cutting-edge devices to your office in a cost-effective way. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with the latest news. 

 

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in November 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

 

Explaining the Benefits of Transillumination to Patients

Explaining the benefits of Transillumination to Patients - Digital Doc LLC

Explaining the Benefits of Transillumination

Explaining the Benefits of Transillumination to Patients 2021

Using Digital Doc’s LuM Transillumination device is a true game-changer for dentists. However, it can be quite confusing for patients who aren’t familiar with advanced dental technology. In this article, we’re discussing how your team should be explaining the benefits of transillumination to patients. 

How is a Dental Transillumination test performed?

A dental transillumination test is identical to a standard x-ray. When a patient appears for the test, the dentist will first place a disposable mouthpiece over their tooth. A light will then be shone through the tooth using the test device. The image taken of the tooth will then be transferred onto the dentist’s computer screen.

The quality of the images can be improved by using technologies such as the LUM. The LUM uses sub-enamel illumination diagnostic methods to improve the detection capabilities of the intraoral camera like those manufactured by Digital Doc. It is an easy-to-use device which facilitates instant detection and documentation.

The LUM applies a high-intensity light to the tooth, with unique positioning to ensure that the light travels perpendicular to the plane of the tooth. If a tooth has no impurities, the light will travel uninterrupted from the buccal surface to the lingual. However, the light is dispersed if the tooth has impurities such as fractures or leaking amalgam.

How long does a Dental Transillumination test take?

A dental transillumination test will be performed within a few minutes. The purpose of dental transillumination is similar to a standard x-ray, however, the difference is that dental transillumination is computer-based while x-rays are film-based. The images taken during a dental transillumination test are projected on a computer screen as they are taken. Our friend Dr. Hoang, a dentist in Bethlehem, GA, highly recommends having HD televisions in every operatory for this exact reason.

 

Explaining the benefits of Transillumination to Patients - Digital Doc LLC

Benefits of Dental Transillumination

Dental transillumination tests can expose problems in teeth that cannot be found using the naked eye or x-rays. The light shines through a healthy tooth easily, making its tooth structure lighter, while decay appears as cloudy shadows in the image.

A dental transillumination test also helps to reveal any fine cracks in the teeth. It is especially effective in discovering decay under old fillings in teeth.

What should you discuss with your patient before a dental transillumination test?

It is important to have your patients give you a detailed description, the more information that is given, the better. If they feel pain in a certain area or undergoing some sort of trauma, then you need to know. Explain to your patient that this information can help you decide which treatment may be better.

Dental Transillumination is just one step of the treatment process. The more detailed and comprehensive the results are, the better the overall treatment experience will be.

If you’re interested in a transillumination device or any other Digital Doc products, contact Digital Doc today to schedule a virtual demonstration. 

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in March 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.  

5 Key Challenges Dental Workflows Face

5 Key Challenges Dental Workflows Face - digital doc llc

Challenges Dental Workflows Face

5 Key Challenges Dental Workflows Face 2021

Creating the perfect workflow while growing your dental practice can be difficult for any practice owner. As the #1 intraoral camera for dentists, we know that these challenges have solutions. This article discusses key challenges dental workflows face and the solutions many practice owners have implemented.

Challenge #1: Lack of Awareness About All Equipment Features

Think about your smartphone for a moment. Are you aware that you hardly ever use half of the features of that smartphone? You may be using just a few features of your smartphone simply because you aren’t even aware that the other features exist.

Similarly, some of the headaches that you may be having at your dental office may have solutions sitting quietly in the equipment that you already have. For instance, your staff may be taking too long to troubleshoot your XTG Handheld X-Ray. Most of that time would have been saved if those employees simply accessed the self-diagnostic control panel of the equipment.

How can this challenge be fixed? Devote some time each week (an hour or so, for example) to reviewing the technology and understanding t how to get the best out of that you already have. Digital Doc provides additional training videos for their products, so you and your staff can easily learn how to operate an XTG Handheld X-Ray. The interactions that take place during those sessions will be useful in bringing inexperienced staff up to speed about many of the features that they never knew existed. If you’re still having trouble, contact us at Digital Doc.

Challenge #2: Failure to Improve Due to Satisfaction With the Status Quo

Another challenge to the workflow in a dental practice is the complacency that comes from knowing that you have been doing things a certain way and nothing has gone wrong, so why change?

The problem with such a mentality is that you miss out on easier ways to get work done, and your patients eventually start moving to other dental practices that have kept with the times.

For example, your staff could be taking longer to take dental impressions using the traditional way, and yet digital dental impressions using an intraoral scanner take just a fraction of the time and require fewer materials. Similarly, you may be missing out on the massive benefits of having the IRIS HD USB 3.0 Dental Camera, such as beaming the captured images on a screen so that patients can see the problems they have. The traditional way of taking intraoral dental images doesn’t provide such aid to case acceptance.

It is therefore wise for you to spend some time studying the trends in dentistry and the evolving technology so that you can draw up a plan to continuously upgrade your equipment and methods to stay relevant in the evolving field.

Challenge #3: Thinking That New Technology Is Too Expensive 

It is true that new technology can be pricy and one needs to plan carefully before making an acquisition. However, the price tag of new equipment should not be a reason for you to stay with outdated equipment, says our friend Dr. Josh Eastham, a dentist in Grand Junction. Why? Because the quality of patient care that you offer will suffer and the dental practice may stagnate or even regress.

A better approach to take is to design a comprehensive plan detailing how and when you will upgrade different pieces of equipment. You can also talk to suppliers about financing options so that your practice isn’t left behind as dentistry goes hi-tech. In this way, you will effortlessly acquire sub-enamel illumination tools like LUM, the best intraoral cameras like the X80 intraoral camera, and many other pieces of digital dentistry equipment.

 

5 Key Challenges Dental Workflows Face - digital doc llc

Challenge #4: Thinking You Don’t Have Time to Implement Changes

One of the easiest ways to be left behind is by getting so busy that you no longer have time to study what changes are happening in your industry. Your productivity will eventually suffer because you will be stuck in the old way of doing things when better technology is now available to ease that work.

For example, shuffling patients to and from your radiology room where traditional x-ray equipment is installed can limit how many patients you can attend to in one day, and yet the XTG Handheld X-Ray from Digital Doc can allow you to take x-rays within the operatory, thereby saving a lot of time and other resources.

It is therefore recommended that you take some time to stay informed about the changes happening in the dental field and set aside time to implement any needed changes.

Challenge #5: Your Staff Are Reluctant to Change

Human beings are creatures of habit, so it is normal to experience some resistance when change is required. The best way to bring everyone on board when changes are being made is by involving them in the processes that result in that change.

For example, show your staff how the new IRIS intraoral camera will make it easier for them to update patient files digitally instead of the old way that was manual and tedious. You can also ask the supplier of the new equipment to train your staff. In this way, the reluctance to embrace change will gradually melt away.

As you can see, it can be easy to address a problem once you identify it and set your mind to fix that problem. Work with the right partners so that the workflow at your dental practice is improved in a way that isn’t disruptive. 

To learn more about our advanced dental technology, contact Digital Doc support. We’re happy to schedule a virtual demonstration and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in February 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 

Saving Money Vs. Increasing Revenue in Your Dental Practice

increasing revenue in your dental practice - Digital Doc LLC

Saving Money Vs. Increasing Revenue in Your Dental Practice

Difference Between Saving Money Vs. Increasing Revenue
in Your Dental Practice 2021

Many dental practices are trying to stay financially afloat since COVID-19. As business owners and dentists, you may be asking yourself better – saving money vs. increasing revenue in your dental practice. We’ve seen dental practice owners try to save by buying the cheapest dental equipment possible, hiring affordable staff, and overall cutting costs. While saving may have its merits, it doesn’t augur well for long-term success. 

A more sustainable and empowering approach is to increase the revenue of your dental practice. This mentality puts you in the driving seat and the limits of how much revenue can come to your practice. It’ll depend entirely on how much effort you are willing to invest in growing the revenue. For purposes of this discussion, let us just consider three methods that you can take to increase revenue in your dental practice.

Acquire Appropriate Dental Technology

Always keep track of the various dental practice metrics so that you can set necessary goals and strategies. Some of the metrics worth tracking include the case acceptance rate, the new patient rate, the average production (in monetary terms) per dentist per hour, and so many others.

Each of those metrics is important in its own way. For example, the case acceptance rate helps you know whether your patients accept the recommended dental treatment. If you have a decent case acceptance rate, your staff and equipment can be put to good use. A rate lower than 60 percent is cause for concern because your practice may never operate at full capacity or even grow.

Similarly, the new patient rate is equally important. As you may know, patients may stop going to your dental office for various reasons. New patients should come in at a higher rate than the rate at which you are losing patients.

When you analyze those metrics, you will need to access where you are now and where you want to take the dental practice. Acquiring new dental technology, such as the Digi Doc hand-held x-ray, the LUM sub-enamel illumination device, and an IRIS X80 Intraoral Dental Camera, can play an instrumental role in increasing dental practice revenue.

Digital Doc’s advanced dental technology can make it possible for you to SHOW patients how serious their dental issues are, and this, in turn, will increase your practice’s case acceptance rate. With better case acceptance comes more revenue to your dental practice.

 

increasing revenue in your dental practice - Digital Doc LLC

Invest in Quality Staff in Your practice

Hiring the best staff is also a good way to increase the revenue of your dental practice. Quality staff will connect with your patients and increase patient satisfaction levels. As you know, a satisfied patient is the best marketing tool you can ever have, so patient referrals and patient retention rates will increase.

Quality staff is usually more receptive to new technology, so they will explain to patients why the XTG X-ray Device is superior to the traditional x-ray equipment, and the proper use of the LUM device will catch cavities early so that appropriate treatment can be administered. All these results of having quality staff will improve the bottom line.

Step Up Your Marketing Efforts

What do most businesses do during hard times? They cut their marketing budget. This is counterproductive because marketing efforts can help turn things around. Similarly, in good times, additional marketing can help your business to maximize its revenue. So, this isn’t the time to ease up on your marketing efforts either.

Marketing is another method that you can use to increase the revenue of your dental practice. Just acquired an XTG Handheld X-ray for your practice? Highlight its benefits to patients in your marketing literature so that more patients can be attracted to your cutting-edge dental practice.

Proper marketing can draw more patients through your doors. Once they’re at your office, it’s up to you and your staff to provide excellent care and services. If things are done well, those new patients will stay, accept more procedures, and recommend you to their circle.

As you can see, trying to save yourself to financial success isn’t as sustainable as seeking ways to increase revenue. There is no limit to how far you can grow if you decide to increase the revenue in your dental practice. Just analyze your practice, decide where there’s room for improvement, and then find ways to increase the performance of the dental office in that area. The money will follow your effort.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in June 2019 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Advantages of Choosing High-Tech Dentists

The Advantages of Choosing High-Tech Dentists

The Top Advantages of Choosing High-Tech Dentists

The dentist’s office experience has improved dramatically in the last 15 years due to advances in dental technology. Modern dentist offices equipped with cutting-edge technology help to enhance the patient’s experience, optimize oral health, and produce outstanding results. Discover the advantages of choosing high-tech dentists from a patient’s perspective.

Simple Scheduling

Modern technology allows dentists the opportunity to provide patients with a better experience, even before they enter the office. For example, electronic health records allow dentists to easily access patient’s medical history, answer phone calls, and compile information for referrals and insurance claims. There is also online scheduling, which allows patients to schedule an appointment without having to call.

More Effective Visits

Patients probably don’t want to spend any more time than required in the dental chair, no matter how convenient or nice your dentist’s office is. We all lead busy lives and have a lot on our plates! Modern dentistry acknowledges the need to make dental treatments more effective and makes you spend less time in the chair.

A good example is same-day dental crowns. This technology allows patients to receive their dental crown in the same visit. In comparison, traditional crowns take weeks to make in an outside dental lab. Our friend Dr. Ryan Helgerson, a dentist in Grand Junction, can attest to patients appreciating same-day dental services. He highly recommends offering these types of services.

Better Understanding of Your Diagnosis 

High-tech dentistry not only makes it easier for your dental team to diagnose the condition accurately. It also makes it easier for patients to understand the severity of the dental problem. General dentists will have their patients take their word for their recommended treatment, while modern dentists can clearly show them exactly what they see. For example, Digital Doc’s X80 Intraoral Camera captures crystal clear images and displays them right on your computer or television screen. 

Less Discomfort

We have a filling, root canal, or other procedure used to have a poor reputation for being frightening and painful. Modern pain relief solutions are available in high-tech dentistry today to ensure your full comfort. We recommend offering the following services to maximize patient experience: 

  • Oral sedation entails taking this sedative orally and falling into a comfortable, dream-like state. You could even nod off entirely!
  • Nitrous oxide is often referred to as “laughing gas.” This form of sedation, inhaled through a comfortable face mask, gives you a giddy and relaxed feeling.
  • IV sedation — This form of sedation is delivered through a vein (usually on your arm) and causes drowsiness and deep relaxation.

Amazing Outcomes

Most patients with broken, missing, or dead teeth are considered to restore their oral health and appearance. Patients don’t have to pick between the two, thankfully. High-tech dentistry helps patients achieve both. If you’re a dentist who hasn’t considered using modern dental technology, you and your patients are missing out. Modern dentistry methods use natural-looking restorations. Patients don’t have to compromise the appearance of their smile to obtain healthy teeth, whether it’s a filling or a crown.

Long-Lasting Treatments

Modern dental technology aids in the creation of even more long-lasting restoration solutions. Fillings, crowns, implants, and other dental treatments are now designed to endure the effects of chewing as well as the wear and tear of daily life. High-tech dental procedures, such as crowns and implants, will last for decades with careful care, ensuring that your perfect smile can last a lifetime. More patients are looking for the best dentists. Now that you know the advantages of choosing high-tech dentists, you can decide whether investing in dental technology is worth it. Are you interested in our Digital Doc products? Contact Digital Doc today to schedule a virtual demonstration. 

How to Increase Patient Referrals

how to increase patient referrals - Digital Doc LLC

How to Increase Patient Referrals

How to Increase Patient Referrals in Your Dental Practice

It’s common knowledge that word-of-mouth referrals are one of the most effective ways to get new patients to your dental practice. So what is the right way to go about it? Our Digital Doc team has worked with thousands of dental practices worldwide. We know exactly how to increase patient referrals. Read the article below if you’re looking to significantly increase the number of new patients per year. 

Encourage Personal Recommendations

One of the best ways to increase patient referrals is by encouraging each patient to make personal recommendations. In fact, many practices offer patient referral plans as an incentive to refer a friend. The patient’s name is put into a raffle or added to their reward system. Every month, the patient with the most referrals or points will earn a prize. If you have the right incentives, you could increase the new patient count to 40-60% each year.

The same can go for reviews. Our friend, Dr. Ben Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, incentivizes patients to leave him reviews. As a result, he sends them a free electric toothbrush! Patients already love his services, so why not? 

Market Your Services

Word-of-mouth marketing is most effective when your patients have something positive to speak about, such as you providing same-day emergency care, free cosmetic consultations, or advanced dental technology. If you offer unique dental services, you should be marketing them! Make it very apparent that you offer these services at your dental practice. You can send out postcards, pamphlets, street signs, and more. More patients are looking for modern dental practices. So, you can inform prospecting patients that you have the best intraoral camera or a portable dental x-ray device. Ask your staff members to inform patients about special services. Both output and new patient numbers will surely rise.

how to increase patient referrals - Digital Doc LLC

Increase Your Online Presence

Also, someone who has already got a good recommendation from a trusted friend will likely visit your website. If your website isn’t up to par, prospective patients can reconsider visiting your practice. That’s why it’s recommended that your website matches the aesthetic of your dental practice. Social networking may also assist in converting a friend’s casual curiosity into a deep desire to schedule an appointment. Join current patients’ personal social networks, such as Facebook, and new patients will feel as though they already know you before visiting your office.

Find creative ways to use cost-effective patient referral methods. You should have more than enough new patients to achieve greater practice success. Contact us today if you’d like to schedule a virtual demonstration with our Digital Doc team.

Secrets to a Memorable Patient Experience

memorable patient experience - Digital Doc

Secrets to a Memorable Patient Experience

Secrets to a Memorable Patient Experience at Your Dental Practice

Today, “customer experience” will make or break your business whether you own a tech company, a brick, and mortar, or a dental practice. Despite the hoops that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to jump through, the dental industry is still providing the best dental experiences for patients. So, how do you get all patients to have a memorable patient experience? It starts from the moment your team members answer the phone to the second they walk into your office. In the article below, we share some secrets to a memorable patient experience. 

Here are six tips for providing comfort, personalization, and a memorable patient experience in the face of the pandemic.

Showcase the Safety Standards

One of the most important qualities every dental practice should have is safety. Although safety was important before the pandemic, it’s even more important now. If it isn’t obvious that you’re following COVID-19 precautions on your website or in your office, then we recommend hanging up COVID-19 precaution signs, posting on social media, and adding details to your website. Patients will feel more comfortable knowing your office is going above and beyond safety standards.

Communicate Efficiently

Maintaining good communication with your patients is now more critical than ever. The patient’s experience will be a little different than before. You’ll need to let patients know what has changed since last visiting your office. You can notify them via text, email, phone call, or add a FAQ on your website. 

 

memorable patient experience - Digital Doc

Recognize What Your Patients Need

Understandably, some patients will be more worried than others. It’s your job to make them feel safe and at home. You can ask your patients to fill out a quick survey so that you and your team can get a better understanding of what your patients need. Our friend Dr. Ryan Helgerson, a dentist in Grand Junction, CO, says that patients recognize good customer service. In fact, studies show that 80% of businesses that prioritize customer satisfaction have an increase in sales. 

Be Flexible

As more patients come back to your dental practice for the first time, you’ll have to work out the kinks. Have a conversation with your staff about being flexible and patient. For instance, some patients will have to reschedule their appointments or may even cancel last minute due to COVID exposures. You may even have to adjust your hours of operation. The more flexible you are, the better the payoff will be. 

Add a Personal Touch

In an industry where there are millions of dental practices, it can seem hard to stand out. Our Digital Doc team recommends adding a personal touch. Try to go out of your way to make your patients smile. Our friend Dr. Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, calls new patients and leaves personal messages, introducing himself. You could also try smile giveaways or patient of the month contests. There are plenty of ways to add a personal touch to your patients’ experience!

Use Advanced Dental Technology

Another way to make help with a memorable patient experience is by investing in advanced dental technology. Patients will appreciate it if you’re staying on top of new techniques and implementing new technology to help provide the best dental care. For instance, if you have the best intraoral camera, you can take quality photos of your patient’s mouth. This allows you to better diagnose and can also be used to show patients exactly what you’re seeing. If you’re interested in quality dental products, schedule a virtual demonstration with us today! 

Tips to Grow Your Cosmetic Dentistry Practice 2021

Canva Design for Cosmetic Dental Marketing

Tips to Grow Your Cosmetic Dentistry Practice

Tips to Grow Your Cosmetic Dentistry Practice 2021

At Digital Doc, we are so much more than an intraoral camera company. We don’t create quality dental technology and then disappear after the transaction is complete. With every relationship we have been able to build, whether it be with our distribution partners or our direct relationships with our dentists, we aim to deliver more value than our clients expect. In this article, we share a few tips to grow your cosmetic dentistry practice without spending a fortune on dental marketing. 

Best Practices from Leading Dentists

#1. Graphic Design for Dentists 

Have you heard of Canva? If not, we recommend you or your office manager, marketing support person take a good look at it. Canva can help you to create fast, professional-looking graphics for all of your marketing materials. Specifically today we want to focus in on the marketing you are doing on your flat-screen TV’s through the office. Download the CANVA app and design sharp images to display on your 55” monitor in your office.

Canva Design for Cosmetic Dental Marketing

#2 Visual Impact of TV Screens in your Dental Practice 

Our most successful Cosmetic Dentists are hanging 55” monitors on the wall in each treatment room. Why so big? What size monitor do most patients watch at home? 55” 65”. . . perhaps the new 85”? The consumer walking in the door also watches at least a 55” at home. If you have been to a Mcdonald’s lately, you may have noticed how many 55” monitors are on the wall when ordering? Your new patients will increase just by you connecting with their consumer behavior. They will be surprised, impressed and every image you show on the screen will connect with them on a higher level than a 15” or 25” you have on the counter or chair.

#3 Internal Marketing to Your Most Loyal Patients 

Now that you have had time to play around with some of the designs in Canva and mount a few new TVs in your treatment rooms, we can move on to the fun stuff. Add bio’s from your team members to connect with patients on a higher level. The more they know you, the more they trust you. Don’t try to sell anything here, just be authentic and have some fun. 

Above is an example of an office using photos on a 55-60” monitor to show patients the potential results they can get from teeth whitening. This graphic is easy to create with the CANVA app. Have your team sign up for the free account today. Be sure to share your dental marketing graphics with us!