By Robin Morrison, President
RLM Healthcare Marketing & Consulting, Inc.
Dental Consultant Connection
New patients are often considered the lifeblood of a dental practice. However, while attracting new patients is crucial, retaining your current patients is just as important. These are the patients who already trust your care, understand the value of your services, and can contribute to a thriving, long-term practice. So, what steps are you taking to ensure they stay engaged and committed to their dental health under your care?
Steps to Retain Current Patients
1. Always Schedule the Next Hygiene Visit Before They Leave
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to retain patients is to ensure they schedule their next hygiene visit before leaving their appointment. This not only secures their continued care but also reinforces the importance of maintaining a regular schedule. Patients are more likely to remain consistent with their visits when they understand the long-term benefits of preventive dental care.
2. Follow Up on Cancellations and Missed Appointments
Life gets busy, and sometimes patients cancel appointments or forget to reschedule. Having a solid follow-up protocol in place ensures that these patients don’t fall through the cracks. If a patient cancels, make it a priority to reach out promptly to reschedule them. The sooner you reconnect, the better the chances of keeping them engaged in their oral health routine.
3. Run Monthly Reports to Capture Unscheduled Patients
A proactive approach to patient retention includes running monthly reports to identify patients who have yet to schedule their next appointment. Establish a consistent protocol for reaching out to them, which could include:
- Two to three attempts via phone call or text message.
- Noting in their chart to discuss their unscheduled treatment at their next visit.
By systematically reaching out, you remind patients of the importance of their dental care and encourage them to prioritize their next visit.
The Value of Patient Retention
Remember, what you focus on gets managed. Patient retention is just as critical as attracting new patients, and having a structured follow-up system for unscheduled hygiene visits and pending treatment can make all the difference in maintaining a full and thriving schedule.
If you’d like our detailed protocol for following up on unscheduled patients, whether for hygiene visits or pending treatment, feel free to email us at robin@rlmmarketing.com.
By implementing these retention strategies, you will not only maintain a steady flow of patients but also build a strong foundation for long-term practice success. Keep attracting new patients, but don’t forget the value of those who already trust and appreciate your care!