How to Make Patients Feel Welcome in Your Dental Practice
- Written by Mudasir Ali
For years, going to the dentist's office has become a stereotypically scary or uncomfortable thing. Maybe we have the evil dentist from Little Shop of Horrors to blame, but there is a strange belief among many people that this is a scary place. If you work in dental care, you know that this couldn't be further from the truth. Whether you are an orthodontist or dental hygienist, you know that oral health is essential and you want others to feel comfortable whenever they come in for treatment.
The goal of dentistry is to give patients a beautiful smile and help them feel good about their oral health. Perhaps one of the reasons why people don't like the dentist is because they don't understand the importance of this treatment. It's up to you to create a more welcoming environment where everyone has access to the information they need. You want patients to feel excited about coming to your dental practice. Here are a few tips and tricks to help make that happen by creating a more welcoming location.
Help customers understand their health insurance situation.
Health insurance in the United States can sometimes feel complicated and confusing. Between premiums, deductions, and certain practice areas, your patients may be confused about what care they get through their insurance company. One way to create a welcoming environment is by helping patients understand their dental insurance. In Australia, iSelect is a leader for total cost comparisons of health insurance and treatment plans. With iSelect health insurance you can help share all the information patients need about insurance claims and how treatment costs effect their pocket expenses and dental health care. Compare your options and rely on dental insurance plans you can trust. This will help your patients and team alike understand the cost of treatment in new ways.
Be transparent about procedures and costs.
Speaking of treatment costs, it's important to be transparent about dental health care prices. When you try and hide treatment options or the total cost of treatment, your patients may feel scammed or like they can't trust you. Instead, be open and honest about treatment fees and what each insurance plan will cover. When people are making a significant investment in their teeth, you need them to know what they're paying for and why.
For example, many kids and adults need braces to help straighten out their teeth. While this treatment plays an important role in your patient's lives, they first need to know how much braces are going to cost. Be upfront about the cost of braces and specifications you'll need to give a patient that confident smile they're looking for. Depending on whether a patient needs metal braces, brackets, aligners, or other orthodontic care, it may cost more or less for their overall orthodontics. The more open and transparent you can be, the more your patients will feel like they're going on the journey with you. This will help them feel welcomed and encouraged every step of the way.
Make sure everyone knows that safety is a priority.
No matter what kind of business you are running, you need to be sure your customers, clients, and patients know the area is safe and secure. When they are entering your dental practice, engage in certain security protocols. Buzzing patients into the office will help them feel safe and secure once they're inside. It can also help to include an outdoor dome camera that shows patients you're monitoring their car and their property. Dome cameras, as opposed to bullet cameras, can have a sleek design and give that extra sense of security so everyone feels comfortable while getting their treatment done. Plus, an outdoor dome will offer you the ability to keep an eye on any people who may be hanging out in your parking lot or outside your dental practice.
Hire the best dentists and hygienists.
Doctors and dentists spend a lot of time in school learning the ins-and-outs of their specific field. However, they also need to learn a good deal about how to interact with patients. Creating a welcoming environment for your practice starts with kind and compassionate doctors and hygienists. You want to be sure your staff consists of well-trained and successful dentists who will treat each individual patient with patience and kindness. This will help people to start to feel at home within your practice.
Invest in activities for younger patients.
Everyone needs dental care, including young patients. You are going to have kids coming in and out of your doors and it can help to make them feel welcome with specific items and activities. From coloring books and games in the lobby to fun toothbrushes as prizes and movies while in the chair, invest in tools that will help keep kids distracted and happy while getting treatment.
Improve your interior design.
The priority of your dental office is to take care of people's teeth, but that doesn't mean you can't spend some time on your interior design. Invest in nice lobby chairs and softer lighting. Where people are while they wait is important, so be sure the interior design is inviting and welcoming.
