The Levin Group Data Center indicates that up to 40% of patients in a practice may be overdue for hygiene appointments. Whether it is hygiene or any other type of dentistry, as soon as a patient is overdue, this individual should receive a call the next day.
Use the rule of 3s. By calling all patients when they are one day overdue and following up for three weeks by phone, three weeks by email, and three weeks by letter, you will maintain a practice with a very high percentage of patients who are on the schedule.
Don't underestimate the problem. Patients who are off-schedule hinder practice profitability over time. Most general practices will give up at least $500,000 or more over 20 years simply due to overdue patients.
