dentalblogs.com

In “Dentists work on reducing costs” by Arlene Furlong, an article posted on the American Dental Association’s website, we’re told that dentists are making these changes to weather the economic storm:

• Adding or Adjusting Hours of Operation
• Adding Services
• Hiring Associates (for extended hours & services)
• Do More General Dentistry
• Cut Overhead
• Cut Staff Hours
• Fully Use Assistants & Hygienists

Tips from the experts include…

• Change your hours to three full days rather than four short days.
• Open the office early – those appointment times always book up!
• People work 9-5 and don’t want to dip into paid time off (or unpaid) to go to the dentist, so make sure your hours accommodate the working class – the people who have money to spend at your office.
• Book up empty schedule times with patients scheduled a month or two out.
• Book appointments together, rather than spread out all day. This way, if there are no bookings, you can send the staff home early.
• If you have empty operatories, consider hiring an associate, another hygienist, or a traveling specialist.
• Promote yourself as the “emergency dentist” to local hospitals and hotels.
• If it’s legal, let your hygienist work alone on the weekends.
• Use your down time to learn new services and train your team about customer service and internal marketing.
• Really think about what sets you apart. If your answer sounds generic, make plans to work on your IT factor.
• Can you offer a service or technology not otherwise offered in your area?
• Market yourself to your patients. As you’re working, talk about the new and exciting procedures you offer: white fillings and crowns, bonding, teeth whitening, laser surgery, digital X-rays, or CEREC. Market yourself!
• Share statistics about oral health so your patients appreciate the importance of recall and restorative visits.
• Invest in marketing that works – a search engine optimized dental website that works as an extension of your front office and patient education efforts.
• In slow times, your hygienist or office administrator can learn to blog. This will give you an online newsletter with archives and it’ll increase your SEO potential. Blogs are indexed fast and well by hungry search engine spiders. Call TNT Dental for more information.
• Get involved in the community. Along with your staff, work events and volunteer to speak at local schools, nursing homes, and daycare centers. Get the word out about your practice.