Dedicated to helping doctors and their team have an office that is not only highly productive and fun but one that allows them to consistently exceed patient expectations.
What are your plans to exceed your patients’ expectations, attract more new patients, have more fun at work, and build relationships within your community during the month of January?
“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.” – Melody Beattie
As you are setting your goals for 2021 and making plans to grow your practice remember to also create a marketing calendar.
Note: For Dental Practice Management and Leadership Tips & Ideas for January 2021 Visit HERE
Here are some Dental Marketing Tips & Ideas for January 2021
January is National Hot Tea Month. I am sharing this idea again this year because it is always a huge hit with dental patients.
Gift idea for your Patients: Give away packets of tea that have a label on them saying “Our Patients are TEA-riffic!”
Service/Treatment Feature: Desensitizing Agents. Many people experience tooth sensitivity while drinking hot beverages.
Fun Patient & Community Engagement Idea
Dress Up Your Pet Day: 14th – On your office Facebook page, invite people to share photos of their dressed-up pets. You could even offer a prize for the picture that gets the most likes.
Another Patient Appreciation Idea
Drinking Straw Day: 3rd – You could give away reusable straws to your patients that come in for an appointment that day or give them away all month long. Reminding your patients’ to use a straw when they drink sugary or acidic drinks to prevent contact with the teeth.
Note: Do you know how many new patients you are welcoming into the practice AND how many patients you’re losing each month? To help you get that data quickly, like within minutes – if your PMS is either Dentrix, Eaglesoft, or Open Dental you can request a complimentary, no-obligation practice data snapshot here: Game-Changing Awareness from Dental Intelligence – Within minutes we’ll identify your practice’s strengths and uncover hidden opportunities. I am happy to assist you with this at no charge and with absolutely no obligation to do anything further with me.
Educational Ideas (In-office or Via Social Media Platforms)
Cigarettes Are Hazardous to Your Health Day: 11th – Share a post(s) to your social media platforms about the dangers of cigarettes, vaping, chewing tobacco, etc.
Sugar Awareness Week: Jan. 20-24 – This week share posts /videos to your social media pages all about sugar and dental health. For example, common snacks with high sugar content. Or how much sugar is in your favorite beverages.
Social Media Post Ideas to Improve Engagement during the month of January:
Get Organized Month
National Soup Month
Drinking Straw Day: 3rd
Popcorn Day: 19th
Dental Drill Appreciation Day: 26th
Fun at Work Day: 29th
There you have it some marketing tips and ideas for January 2021. Please send me a message and let me know what you have planned for January. I love hearing from you.
Wishing you all a healthy and happy start to 2021!
Do you enjoy the dental leadership, management, and marketing tips and ideas that I share each month? I would love and truly appreciate for you to please leave a review/recommendation for me here on GOOGLE and/or FACEBOOK
Have you signed up to receive my complimentary dental marketing and practice management ideas that are sent right to your email inbox each month? If not, take a second and sign up. Or send me your email address (bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com) and I will send you an invite to follow. This way, you won’t miss a single idea!
Are you looking to improve and grow your pediatric dental office? If yes, then I am sure you will appreciate the dental marketing and practice management tips and ideas that I am sharing with you today.
Certainly, this year has brought about many changes to our world; forcing us to also make changes and edits to our daily systems and protocols within our dental practices and how we engage with potential patients in our communities
Even with these changes there are still wonderful opportunities to enjoy the privilege of helping the children in your respective communities to smile happier and healthier. Resulting in happier, more productive, and less-stressed teams.
Gather your team and discuss your goals and vision for the new year. Plan now to make 2021 a great year.
Please, keep in mind that the way to mom and dads’ heart is to treat their children well. The way to keep mom and dad loyal to your office is to treat their children exceptionally well. Why? Happy Kids = Happy Parents. As a mother of two children, I know this to be true.
Here are some Pediatric Dental Marketing and Practice Management Tips and Ideas.
Practice Management
Please note: –With the COVID safety guidelines and current restrictions some of these tips may not be possible for all offices at this time but you can hold on to them for future use. It’s important to take care to remember that even with our office safety guidelines and precautions we want to ensure that we don’t compromise the need to still deliver warm, friendly, and memorable dental visit experiences for our patients and their families.
Reception Room
CLEAN/Well-maintained
Up-To-Date Décor
Video Games – Stationary or handheld devices
Books – Lending library bookshelf.
TV (children’s movies and short dental education videos)
Pictures – Wall of fame, digital photo frame or photo album filled with pictures of your patients.
Photo “booth” area with backdrop and photo props.
Tablet/Cell Phone charging station for parents.
Bottled water (beverage & snack station for parents.)
New Patient Experience –
INTRODUCE yourselves (Front office team, doctor/hygienist, and assistants.) to the parent(s) and the child.
Give a tour of the office. Point out where the restroom is located.
Explain what they can expect during their visit
Free stuff – children love to pick out a prize after their visit.
Sign them up for your kids’ club/team.
Send them a welcome card after their first visit. Kids love to get mail!
Okay, time for a personal experience… I took my children to a new dentist. The hygienists’ took my children back for their cleaning appointments without introducing themselves to me or the kids first. Also, I was never invited back to meet the doctor before, during, or after his examination. Yes, I could have insisted on an introduction but seriously? common courtesy here, how difficult is a simple introduction? This was a turn off for me. I can’t be alone here – I suspect most parents and children for that matter would appreciate a greeting and introduction.
Kids Club/Team – I’m not a fan of “no cavity” clubs because I like to see all children have the opportunity to be part of the office kids club/team and sometimes, a child’s unfortunate cavity is the fault of the parent. Have a club/team that is just for fun and that rewards healthy habits, report cards, community involvement, etc. Take a picture of each child to hang on your wall of fame or in a digital photo frame or picture album, as well as for your website, newsletter and/or social media sites. Present the child with a certificate/wristband/t-shirt when they sign up for your kids’ club. Have monthly contests/drawings that the children can enter to win prizes.
Give-Aways – Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Floss/floss threaders, Toys, Puzzles, Kites, Books, Gift Cards, Bubbles, Stickers, Balloons, Kites, Small Stuffed Animals, Glow items, etc. Children love to leave the office with a small treasure.
Reviews/Recommendations – Ask for reviews and recommendations on Google and Facebook. Parents appreciate hearing from other parents about their experiences with your office. Most often, it is as simple as asking mom or dad if they would please take a minute to leave a review/recommendation.
Referrals – Acknowledge all referrals with a thank you card/letter signed by the dental team. Consider offering thank you gifts/raffle items. Prize ideas: Gift Cards, Family get-away, Gift Baskets, Etc. See Gift Ideas – Pinterest Board
Answer Your Phone –
Sure, you know that the office phone should be answered within the first couple of rings by an unhurried, friendly scheduling coordinator whose goal is to schedule an appointment and wow the caller with excellent customer service but if you want to see greater results from your marketing efforts, then you must be certain that your office phone is answered during times when patients are calling. Invest in your entire teamby providing training on how to effectively answer the phone.
Missed and poorly handled calls are missed opportunities and those missed opportunities mean missed dollars…big dollars!
Distractions/Safety – TV’s in the treatment rooms, Ceiling Tile Scenery, Sunglasses, Weighted Blanket, Etc. Make the experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for every child.
Post-Op Calls – Each evening place a “just wanted to see how well you’re doing call” to any patient that had an extraction or maybe was nervous or had a rough time during their visit.
Treatment Recommendations/Acceptance – Make it easy for mom or dad to say yes to your treatment recommendations. Have effective financial options in place. For convenience, offer more same-day treatment. For example, if you’re recommending sealants at the hygiene visit, if possible, do them at that time. This is coming from a busy mom, convenience matters!
Hygiene Continuing Care – Schedule their next hygiene appt. while they’re in the office. Be certain that your hygiene continuing care reports are being monitored and calls are going out to schedule appts.
Do you know how many of your active patients have a future appointment and how many do not? To help you get that data quickly, like within minutes – if your PMS is either Dentrix, Eaglesoft, or Open Dental you can request a complimentary, no-obligation practice data snapshot here: Game-Changing Awareness from Dental Intelligence – Within minutes we’ll identify your practice’s strengths and uncover hidden opportunities. I am happy to assist you with this at no charge and with absolutely no obligation to do anything further with me. Or just shoot me a message at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com and let me know you would like a complimentary snapshot.
Are you enjoying these tips and ideas so far? I would love and truly appreciate for you to please leave a review/recommendation for me on GOOGLE and/or FACEBOOK.
Here are a few Marketing Tips & Ideas
Website – Have an attractive, informative, and up-to-date Website.
Social Media – Utilize social media platforms to keep your current patients up to date with all your office happenings, to build relationships with local businesses, and to connect with potential patients. Be sure to connect with community mom groups and all kid-related businesses on your social media platforms. (See this Pinterest Board for a plethora of posting images/ideas.)
Facebook/Instagram Videos – Share (live) videos about brushing & flossing techniques, what to do in a dental emergency, why baby teeth are important, what age should a child first visit the dentist, how much sugar is in your favorite drink/cereal/snack, healthy snack ideas and so on.
Online Presence (Website & Social Media) – Become the dental expert in your community. Post articles, videos, and pictures on your website, Google My Business, and social media platforms about different dental treatments/products, tongue-ties, sports safety, nutrition tips, what to do in a dental emergency, etc.
Patient Gifts/Give-Aways’ – Here are a few additional gift ideas for your patients and potential patients. Of course, you’ll want to personalize these gifts with your office name and information.
Chromebook Covers
Hand Sanitizer
Masks
Fun Dress Up/Theme Days –
What: Decorate the office, team dresses up, small prize giveaways, and snacks.
Theme Ideas: Luau, Superhero, Disney, Western, Carnival, Sports teams, Pajama Day, Silly hats/hair/socks, Etc. (visit party & dollar stores or orientaltrading.com for a ton of theme ideas)
Be sure to take lots of photos/video that can be shared to your social media platforms.
Children’s Dental Health Month –
In-Office –
Education – During the month of February (and all the other months too) share dental health tips with your patients when they come in for their appt, in reactivation/reappointment campaigns, and via your social media platforms.
Outside the office –( If appropriate in your community during the COVID pandemic safety restrictions…)
What: On-site Short Dental Education Presentations/Demonstrations and Toothbrush gift bags for the kids and teachers/parents.
Where: Schools, Daycares, Library, Mom groups, etc.
Community Engagement (Visit Local Businesses) –
Where: Pediatricians, Dental Offices, Children’s stores, Dance studios, Salons, Etc.
What: Introductions, Referral pads/business cards, Small Gifts and/or food/snacks. TIP: When visiting general dentist and pediatrician offices, always treat their reception team wonderfully… if your goal is to meet the doctors and get patient referrals, you want/need the “gatekeepers” to like you. 😉
Consider sending a food/drink/ice cream truck to local offices/businesses.
Back-To-School Seasons/School Breaks – Set aside some back-to-school and/or breaks from school special dental days on your schedule. Special pricing or promotions on Sealants, Ortho, Fluoride, Mouthguards, etc. Consider doing a drawing for a Backpack filled with school supplies. Contest: nominate your favorite teacher (use social media sites to promote), prize ideas for winning teacher: Breakfast/Lunch at the school, free teeth whitening, or team up with local businesses for prize donations.
Book Drive – Collect new or gently used books to donate to your local library or schools. Promote via social media sites, local newspapers, in-office fliers, on continuing care postcards and to your current patients.
Sponsor Local Sport Teams –Free or reduced pricing on sport mouthguards for local sports teams.
Referral Tracking – keep track of your events, the businesses you visit, all fulfilled requests for donations, etc. Put specific referral source codes into your software system, this way, when you ask “How did you hear about us?” you have the correct referral code to enter in and you’ll be able to acknowledge that source with a thank you as well as know what marketing is working to bring in new patients.
Are you ready for the #1 Way to Grow your Pediatric Office?
Consistently Exceed Parent & Patient Expectations by Consistently Being Great! Give your patients something positive to talk about to their neighbors, workmates, friends, and family members. Make it easy for them to refer patients to you.
I know this is a lot of information but if you’re serious about wanting to grow your practice, then it’s worth it to take the time to implement some or all of the ideas that I have shared with you today. Remember, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to do this on your own, I’m here to help.
Are you receiving my complimentary Dental Practice Management and Marketing Ideas in your email inbox each month? If not, please follow today or send me (bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com) your email address and I will send you an invitation to follow. This way, you won’t miss a single idea. Feel free to tell your dental friends all about this website so they can start benefiting from these dental ideas too.
I would love and truly appreciate for you to please leave a review/recommendation for me on GOOGLE and/or FACEBOOK.
“What does the month of September typically look like in your office? Do you struggle to fill the schedule? Or do you find that it is a productive month for you?”
Those are the questions I asked you all last year because I always encourage my dental office teams to be proactive by taking steps to create/design what they want their schedules, production, collections, and patient growth to look like for each month. Why wait until the end of the month to say “wow, that month was awful” or “wow, that was a great month”… and wonder, how did we do that?
Little did we know that the year 2020 would bring so many changes to our world and negatively impact the schedules in ways we could have never anticipated.
Now, here in August 2020, many offices are facing the potential for the weakest fall schedules they have ever experienced. Your schedules may actually look pretty good for September as you have been reappointing patients that had appts during the shut down. It may even look better than ever. So if you’re busy right now does it even matter what the schedule looks like for October and November? After all, there is still plenty of time to fill all of those holes, right?
For numerous reasons, it matters greatly what your schedules look like for this fall and as for having plenty of time to fill those holes, well, we know what happens with time… it goes by very quickly, especially when we’re busy!
Typically, a full hygiene schedule today means a full doctor schedule tomorrow – why is that? Approximately, 75% of restorative needs are discovered during hygiene patient visits.
Unfortunately, when there is that open chair time with no production to collect on, your overhead expenses continue without letup.
This isn’t just about money though – our focus should always be on helping our patients smile healthier and happier. When Your Patients Are Healthy – The Practice Is Healthy. To help make our patients healthier we need them to schedule appointments.
The ideas that I am sharing with you for September will help you reactivate and reappoint patients, attract more new patients, build relationships within the community, as well as exceed your current patients’ expectations.
Dental Office Leadership, Management, and Marketing Tips and Ideas for September 2020
Leadership Tips & Ideas:
“Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” -John Maxwell
Empower your team to focus on the possibilities of what a healthy fall schedule can look like and how that is a benefit not only to your patients but to your employees as well. Think beyond what you’ve always done to get by or your current perceived limitations– get creative with your methods for staying in touch with your current patients, reaching out to inactive patients, welcoming more new patients, and learning new things as a team to keep things fresh and motivating.
Employee Appreciation Idea – September is Self-Care Awareness Month – Self-Care has never been more important than it is right now! Give a small gift of appreciation to your employees that encourages self-care. It could be a gift card or actual gifts. (ie: spa products, chocolate, books, essential oils, teas, waterbottle, etc.)
Practice Management Tips & Ideas:
Unscheduled Treatment Plans & Hygiene Continuing Care – Reach out to all your patients with incomplete treatment plans or that are past-due in hygiene. Encourage them to schedule their appointment during the months of September, October, and November.
Insurance Renewal Letters – Send out your “Use it or Lose it reminder texts, emails, and letters.
Friends, do you know what your schedules look like for the fall months? Do you know how many of your active patients have a future appointment and how many do not? Do you know how many new patients you are welcoming into the practice AND how many patients you’re losing each month? To help you get that data quickly, like within minutes – if your PMS is either Dentrix, Eaglesoft, or Open Dental you can request a complimentary, no-obligation practice data snapshot here: Game-Changing Awareness from Dental Intelligence – Within minutes we’ll identify your practice’s strengths and uncover hidden opportunities. I am happy to assist you with this at no charge and with absolutely no obligation to do anything further with me.
Marketing Tips and Ideas:(Exceed Expectations for your current patients and the potential new patients that you engage with in your community.):
Theme:Fall in Love with a Beautiful & Healthy Smile
Focus: Preventive & Cosmetic Services
Giving-Away – Drawing for a Fall Themed Gift Basket / Patients can enter the drawing by leaving a review on Google and/or Facebook, referring their friends & family, and for coming in for their appts in September.
Local Business Marketing Opportunity:
September is National Honey Month: Give away little jars of honey with a label or tag that says, for example, “Thank you for Bee-ing an Awesome Neighbor!” or “Our Nurses are Sweet as Honey!” OR to your referring offices you can say” Your Referrals Are Sweet As Honey – Thank you!”
Patient &Community Educational Idea:
September 1st – 7th is National Nutrition Week – You could do a quick Facebook live video and/or post content to your social media platforms all about Nutritious School Snack Options. Perhaps, you could even create a cute, simple hand-out for your patients with a list of nutritious snack options and the surprisingly unhealthy snacks.
Social Media Post Ideas to Improve Engagement during the month of September:
World Alzheimer’s Month
National Fruit & Veggie Month
Sweet Corn Week: 3rd – 7th
Random Acts of Kindness Day: 1st
Be Late for Something Day: 5th / But not your dental appointment! Here is why it’s so important for you to arrive on time for your appointments…
Mouthguard Day:7th
Grandparents Day: 13th
World Heart Day: 29th
Do you enjoy the complimentary ideas that I share each month? I would love and truly appreciate for you to please leave me a review/recommendation here on GOOGLE and/or FACEBOOK . Thank you! 🙂
Wishing you all the healthiest and happiest September!
Doctors, if you would like to grow and improve your dental practice and have wondered what it might be like to work with me and what coaching is all about… please feel free to reach out to me to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation coaching call at bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com.
Are you receiving my complimentary Dental Practice Management and Marketing Ideas via your email each month? If not, please follow today or send me (bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com) your email address and I will send you an invitation to follow. This way, you won’t miss a single idea.
Do your marketing efforts include marketing to seniors and retirees? Marketing to seniors typically isn’t a priority for most dentists. However, since advancing age doesn’t mean seniors cannot keep their teeth for a lifetime, why not take advantage of the opportunity to reach out to this generation? Help them to see they’re not destined to lose their teeth. Not only are there many preventive services available to them there are also many cosmetic dental treatment options to help them smile with confidence.
A few ways to reach out to Senior Citizens and Retirees:
Senior/(Retirees) Appreciation Day (In-office)
Senior Health & Wellness Expo
Direct Mail Marketing to Senior Living Communities
On-site Dental Health Education Presentations for Seniors & Caregivers
Website & Social Media Sites
Today, I’m going to focus on ideas for you to use at a community senior health & wellness fair/expo. However, many of the ideas for talking points, presentation and giveaways may be used in the other forms of marketing mentioned above.
Quick Tip: In-House Savings / Membership Plans – Loss of dental insurance may have prevented some people from seeking dental care. Do you offer an in-house savings plan? If yes, be sure to include that in your marketing materials and posts on your office social media pages and website.
Back to health fairs… they can be challenging for a couple of different reasons.
One, there are a lot of vendors and booths/displays so you’re going to want to make sure that your display table stands out. That it draws the attention of the guests.
Two, most people are there for something free. But, I guess that doesn’t really count as a challenge. It’s an opportunity for you to make sure they won’t leave your display empty-handed. You’ll have many freebies to give away that include your office information.
Many wonder what they should talk about and what sort of items should they give away?
How about these ideas…
Service Talking Points ~
Denture/Partial Maintenance & Repair
Bad Breath
Gum Disease
Xerostomia
Teeth Whitening
Orthodontics
Implants
Oral Cancer (On-site screenings)
Oral Systemic Health Link
Smile Makeover
Presentation / Demonstration ~
PowerPoint/Video presentation on a laptop/tablet/LARGE monitor with before and after photos and/or information about your services.
How To Demonstrations: Proper Brushing & Flossing Techniques
Display ~
Table Cloth
Banner (Office Name and Website address)
Brochures
Business Cards
Use nice baskets, containers, and frames to display your items.
Keep your table neat but attractive – too much information and “stuff” will be overwhelming in that setting.
Include a Big Call to Action with a deadline: You could hand out a sheet of paper that has a special offer on it: Complimentary Oral Cancer Screening, New Patient Special or Teeth Whitening Offer. On that sheet include some of the other services you offer. Also, include your social media sites and of course all your office contact info.
Make certain that you’ll have the ability to schedule complimentary consultations and New Patient Hygiene visits right there on the spot. (Access to your schedule…at the very least a copy of the schedule for the next 2 weeks.)
Very Important: Your display table must include friendly, smiling, approachable and outgoing team members (also wearing, professional & clean attire).
Other things you can do to attract people to your table…
Prize Wheel
Gift Basket Drawing/Raffle
Lots of FREE stuff! Which brings us to…
Giveaways ~
Bottled Water / Reusable Waterbottles
Healthy Snacks
Xylitol Products- Gum/Mints
Sample dental health products with a sticker or tag attached showing that a “refill” may be purchased at your office.
Imprinted Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Floss / Imprinted Floss Cards
Imprinted Pens
Magnets
My favorite idea for a quick & inexpensive freebie is Lip Balm- (my go-to; http://www.lipbalmexpress)
Reusable Bags with your Office Information on them is a handy giveaway, one that allows them to carry their free gifts in and advertise your office for you.
If you’re not looking to spend a lot of money on bags, please consider using small imprinted plastic bags so no one is fumbling with their gifts.
Raffle / Drawing ~
Electric Toothbrush
Whitening Pen
Gift Cards
Gift Baskets ( Themes: Dental Health, Gardening, Seasonal items, Spa, Etc. – don’t hesitate to team up with local businesses for basket items)
Free Teeth Whitening and or $ off Dental Treatment ( NOTE: they can either check the box for which one or all that they are hoping to win. Use a full sheet of paper with prize options and large space for them to fill out their name, email, address & phone (to be used later to send nice to meet you cards).
Should you decide to use a Prize Wheel instead of Raffle/Drawing be sure to find another way to capture their information so you can follow-up with a “pleasure to meet you” thank you card after the event.
Another Quick Tip: Include the Caregivers – be sure to have information on hand and give-aways for the care-givers. Especially because it’s often the care-givers that are the decision-makers.
Encourage attendees to “like” your office Facebook page and “follow” your office on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Perhaps you can offer some type of incentive/reward for visiting your social media sites.
Take a few minutes before and after the event to briefly introduce yourself to the other vendors and businesses at the expo. Give them a gift some of your office freebies. This is a great opportunity to build relationships within your community.
So many ways for you to have a fun and successful senior health and wellness fair. Do you have any other ideas that have worked well for you? Please, share them with me.
If you enjoy the complimentary ideas that I share each month, I would love and truly appreciate for you to please take a minute to leave me a review here on GOOGLE and/or FACEBOOK
Are you receiving my free dental marketing and practice management ideas every month to your email? If not, PLEASE take a second and follow today or send me your email address to bhaydenconsulting@gmail.com and I will send you an invitation to follow. This way, you won’t miss a single idea. Feel free to share my website with your dental friends.
