Pop quiz: What’s harder than getting a new patient? Answer: Keeping a new patient. Today's practices are finding it much more challenging to retain patients in the face of competition, changing insurance plans, and the wide reach of the internet. It’s imperative that practices employ effective strategies to retain patients so that their patient base remains strong and they always have a healthy influx of new patients.
Keep patients on the schedule. Unscheduled patients are patients you may never see again. Always aim to have 98% of all patients scheduled at all times. How? Your front desk staff should become excellent at encouraging patients to make appointments before they leave, having an immediate follow-up system for patients who leave without appointments, and contacting overdue patients.
Don’t forget to create a strong contact program between appointments. Even when patients aren’t in your office, you can still have an impact. Reach them through Facebook and email with dental, health, practice information, and phone calls to see how they are doing.
Dr. Roger P. Levin is CEO of Levin Group, a leading practice management and marketing consulting firm. To contact him or to join the 40,000 dental professionals who receive his Practice Production Tip of the Day, visit LevinGroup.com or email [email protected].
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