As a dental office, providing the best services and care to patients should be one of your top priorities. Patients expect high-quality dental care, but there are specific services that they value the most.
Making sure your patients walk out of your office with the best experience possible has a significant impact on your business. We get it, the dentist’s office isn’t Disney World, but there are steps you can take to ensure your patients won’t absolutely dread getting dental work done.
Let’s explore the top services patients want from their dental office.
Preventive Services
Preventive care is a top priority for patients. Regular dental checkups, cleanings, and exams are crucial to maintaining good oral health and avoiding having major work done.
Preventive dental care can help save patients money in the long run by avoiding more costly and extensive dental treatments. By identifying and treating oral health issues early, patients can avoid more serious and expensive procedures in the future.
Giving your patients regular preventive care also builds trust and confidence between you and them. Patients appreciate when their dental office takes a proactive approach to their oral health and provides them with personalized care and attention.
We all have busy lives, so patients appreciate when their dental office reminds them of their appointments. It will show that you care if your office makes an effort to keep their schedules on track. It will also help you know when a patient needs to change or cancel their appointment, allowing you to have time to fill that open spot.
Comfortable Environment
Patients expect a comfortable and welcoming environment when they visit their dental office. A clean, well-lit waiting area, friendly staff, and a comfortable treatment area are essential to providing a positive experience for patients.
Aromatherapy, also known as ambient scenting, has been known to help ease a person’s anxious feelings. Which can be beneficial to your dental office. SourceClub clients can receive a special deal on Natscent services by clicking here.
The comfortability shouldn’t stop in the waiting room. Music and television in an exam room can become a good distraction for your patients. No matter how long their treatment will take, your patients will appreciate a comfortable exam chair with ample padding.
Another aspect of comfortability that some may not think about is fully explaining what you’re doing during treatment. This may be your day to day routine, but your patient might only be seen twice a year. So making sure you’re walking them through the exam, explaining what you’re doing, and asking permission before touching them can help create a comfortable environment for your patient.
Advanced Technology
Dental technology is advancing rapidly, and patients expect their dental office to keep up with the latest innovations. From digital x-rays to laser dentistry, patients appreciate when their dental office invests in advanced technology to enhance their experience and treatment outcomes.
Intraoral scanners are becoming more popular in the dental community, and there’s a reason for that.
You can save you and your patient time by taking digital impressions instead of going the traditional route. It can also be more convenient to have access to those impressions on a screen next to you.
Making sure you have an online presence is pertinent in today’s world. Almost everyone is on the internet, so it’s important that your dental office has a working website that’s easy to navigate. There you can invest in an online scheduling system that your patients can use to make their appointments.
A website also gives you the opportunity to showcase your work. You can use photos for before and after treatment to encourage potential patients to book with your office.
Communication
Effective communication is key to a successful patient-dentist relationship. Patients want their dentist to listen to their concerns, explain their treatment options clearly, and answer any questions they may have.
Good communication helps patients feel confident and informed about their dental health.
When you communicate with your patients, it ensures that they are well-informed about their dental health, treatment options, and the procedures they will undergo. Patients who understand their treatment options and the procedures they will undergo are more likely to follow through with their treatment plan.
This can also help curve their dental anxiety. When your patient feels well-informed, they are less likely to fear their dental procedures. Also note that everyone on your team should try their best to be friendly. This can make or break your patient’s experience in your office.
Affordable Payment Options
Dental care can be expensive, and patients appreciate when their dental office offers affordable payment options. Flexible payment plans, financing options, and insurance billing assistance are all valuable services that can make dental care more accessible and affordable for your patients.
You want to be able to make dental care accessible to everyone. With flexible payment options, your office can provide patients the treatment they need without having to worry about the up front financial burden.
In return, this will most likely encourage your patients to seek preventive care like regular checkups and cleanings.
Your patients appreciate when you provide them with payment options that fit their budget and financial situation. This helps build trust and loyalty between you and them.
Invest in these Services
In the highly competitive field of dentistry, providing high-quality care is essential. Knowing what your patients value the most will help you stand out among large DSOs and other dental providers.
Invest in the time to train your team to communicate effectively and implement best practices to achieve the services listed above. You’ll see a return on your investment, and your patients will be thankful you did.
