Connecting with patients, effortlessly
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 20th October 2022
Currently, dental professionals are grappling with intense challenges, including recruitment concerns, societal issues and rising patient expectations.
There have been insurmountable pressures placed on all areas of healthcare, with the hits to dentistry reaching, and remaining in, the headlines. In these difficult times, how are dental practices ensuring that every patient need is met, while balancing the requirements of the business? With all the unfortunate situations that have occurred over the past few years, from Brexit, the pandemic to the cost-of-living crisis, growing a business may seem like an impossible feat. For practice owners looking to expand and grow their business, doing so may seem impossible in light of the challenges they face.
Fortunately, innovations made within the field mean that businesses can continue to cater to their patients and improve their experience while streamlining processes in the practice.
Where to start
Ensuring that patients are well-cared and catered for adds another consideration for businesses that may put progression to the bottom of the priority list. However, looking at areas in the business where systems and services can be streamlined and improved, while enhancing patient experience and retention, is a good starting point.
In recent years, digitalised technologies, equipment and instruments have been under the spotlight, with many professionals adopting these advancements in their clinics. Of these developments, practice management software is perhaps one of the simplest, yet most ground-breaking in regards to how it can streamline everyday activities. These systems are designed to free up time for professionals, while ensuring that the needs of the patient are met.
Communication made simple
One of the defining factors of practice management software is its ability to enhance communication with patients, in addition to establishing preferred recall methods to suit varying preferences. Many individuals will favour different methods of communication, whether that be SMS text, email or by phone; an effective patient management software will automatically deliver communications in the right way.
Older patients are more tech savvy nowadays, with one study[i] demonstrating that 65% of people 65 and over use a smartphone, compared to only 3% in 2012. However, this means there are still 35% who do not have a smartphone. Communicating with the patient regarding the technology they use, and their selected method of reminder, will help encourage a more tailored approach, which patients will appreciate. A telephone call, or even a letter, may be preferred by patients who do not use phones extensively. In contrast, 98% of 16-24-year olds have smartphones, which was the same for the 25-35 and 35-44 age brackets. In this instance, setting a reminder SMS text may be more effective. By personalising appointment reminders, dental practices can help to reduce their number of cancellations and no-shows.
Boosting business
Not only will individualised reminders help to engage patients more effectively, but they will also lighten the load on the dental team. With automated systems taking on the work of patient communication, the team can focus on delivering exceptional care. By simplifying communicative methods and streamlining many processes within the clinic, practice management systems can also help to boost business.
Additionally, some systems may have a function that automatically sends online review requests to patients following their appointment. Reviews are important when seeking to gain and retain potential patients, through improved Google search results and local SEO, so this software feature would be greatly beneficial. Similarly, marketing campaigns can be scheduled for certain times, or even to send out messages automatically after a patient completes a particular treatment. Once again, this saves time for the dental practice, helps to boost revenue and demonstrates the practice’s range of services to patients.
Careful consideration
Practice management systems are not currently in short supply, as many practices are integrating them into their workflows. As such, practice owners should carefully consider what system offers the most ideal features.
Carestream Dental has developed Patient Bridge; a new cloud-based patient engagement platform for existing R4+ practice management software users. This cutting-edge add-on enhances relationships between the practice and its patients, with personalised appointment reminders and automatic communications. By utilising reputation management tools and a marketing campaign manager, businesses can generate more revenue and gain and retain new patients. The Patient Bridge also automates missed appointment reminders, saving the practice valuable time and money.
The profession has been facing a myriad of challenges over the past few years. By making constructive changes and investments, dental professionals can continue to improve patient experience and ensure their business thrives in these uncertain times.
For more information, contact Carestream Dental at www.carestreamdental.co.uk
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Author: Cheryl Hayes, DPMS Regional Product Manager, Europe, Middle East & Africa
[i] Statista (2021). Smartphone usage by age UK 2012-2020 | Statista. [online] Statista. Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/300402/smartphone-usage-in-the-uk-by-age/ [Accessed 25 May 2022].
