Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, the Shelter-in-Place is being lifted in stages. We are all aware of the ever-present threat of the pandemic on people and businesses, but how can dental patients still receive necessary dental treatment through a future of uncertainty? There are three main tips that can help build trust in your dental clients so that they receive the care they need and feel safe throughout the entire dental appointment process.
1. Emphasize What You’re Doing to Keep Dental Patients Safe
Be clear when explaining to your dental patients how things will go during the appointment. Explain to them ahead of time and before the appointment, so they know what to expect and how to prepare. Walk your dental patients through everything clearly and politely when they arrive to your dental practice. Also, be sure to escort them out of your dental practice and make sure they feel safe during their entire visit. With working with patients at your dental practice, over-communication is key.
On all platforms of your dental practice social media, explain in detail what the business is doing to ensure the safety of everyone involved. List the tasks being done to create a sterile environment in your dental practice. Also, state the frequency of how often your dental practice is being sterilized.
2. Proactive Communication with Dental Patients and Colleagues
Communication is key. The more proactive you are about communication with your dental patients, the more trust is built between your dental practice and your patient. Similar to what was explained before, be willing, and make the time to answer any questions clients may have about their dental appointment.
Be sure to follow up with your dental patients, as usual! A courteously call post-visit is normally standard but encouraging feedback during this call is also a good idea! Was the patient comfortable? What do they wish your dental practice did? As a dentist, take this feedback seriously and implement it into your dental practice if it makes sense! This business experience is new and we are learning as we go. Constantly engage, and constantly improve.
3. Positive Language
Times are tough everywhere. People are experiencing high stress due to this pandemic, and how things are today is new to a lot of people. Your dental patients are coming in with a baseline of fear or frustration. It’s important, as a medical professional, to be patient, speak clearly, and speak positively. Assume positive intent, always. Even the language on signage should reflect a more positive and welcoming tone.
For example, instead of “Do Not Enter Unless You Are Wearing a Mask”
You could say this: “Wearers of Masks, Welcome!”
You want your dental client’s experience to be as positive as possible. Times are tough for many businesses, but the team at Piedmont Avenue Consulting, Inc. can ensure that your questions regarding the work environment are answered and that you have a business strategy to reopen.
Ronald Yee is a Dental Consultant with Piedmont Avenue Consulting, Inc. For more than 25 years, Ronald has been assisting dentists in managing their practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. He helps guide better dental practice, reignite your passion for dentistry, and increases your dental profits through efficient management, clinical, and financial systems, and to a more fulfilling life with your family. Ronald has extensive knowledge in practice management, finance, and advanced clinical training for private dental practices as well as issues related to the dentistry industry. With his level of experience, he can help in assisting you to solve problems, make things easier, and help outline a plan for your business’s reopening to build client trust.
Times are tough for many businesses, but the team at Piedmont Avenue Consulting, Inc. can ensure that your questions regarding the work environment are answered and that you have a business strategy to reopen, whether you are in the San Francisco or Los Angeles Area. Piedmont Avenue Consulting, Inc. is a San Francisco Bay Area-based business development and marketing consulting firm that creates brand awareness, strengthens customer loyalty, and increases lead generation by leveraging new technologies and streamlining business processes.
If you are interested in learning more about the best marketing strategies and business practices for your dental practices, schedule a free consultation today!
