| In these trying economic times, dental practices also | | | | only one benefiting from the Internet. Consumers use |
| feel the sting of reduced consumer spending. Your | | | | the Internet to research dental experiences, service |
| dental office must be profitable in order to survive – | | | | costs, and demystify procedures. Don’t bury your |
| but turning a profit is harder than ever. For this reason, | | | | head in the sand. If you don’t have a website |
| keeping abreast of dental trends is critical to your | | | | (what?!), get one. If you do, make sure your site is a |
| office’s viability. | | | | user-friendly tool for information. Include a blog that |
| - Opportunity lies in new revenue streams. Even your | | | | covers dental news. Become an authority on the topic |
| most loyal clients may be delaying dental care as they | | | | (you are – why not let people know it.) Heck, get a |
| tighten their budget. You can expand your offerings | | | | Facebook account if you want. Bottom line: make sure |
| with a conscious focus on the market segment who | | | | your patients and prospects can find your business |
| can afford treatment. You cannot reasonably ask your | | | | online. |
| patients to come in for check-ups every two months | | | | - Alleviating dentist anxiety. Remember Little Shop of |
| (wouldn’t that be nice), but you can appeal to their | | | | Horrors? The human villain was a dentist. Fair? Not |
| desire for self improvement. Cosmetic dentistry offers | | | | really. Accurate public sentiment? Probably. For a |
| everything from whitening to veneers and even | | | | culture that places a high value on healthy teeth, we |
| smoking cessation programs. These services have a | | | | are really afraid of the dentist. Countering this fear can |
| high profit margin and help to expand your market | | | | significantly increase client loyalty. So, make your office |
| reach. Incidentally, cosmetic procedures generate more | | | | more spa-like with calming décor, music, and videos. |
| buzz than general dental care, thus creating a free yet | | | | Things should feel clean, not institutional. Offer sedation |
| invaluable residual marketing campaign. | | | | when appropriate. And don’t underestimate the |
| - Reduce Your Dental Office’s Costs. There is no | | | | value of a congenial staff. While we’re at it, you |
| better time to reexamine your expenses because the | | | | should probably make sure your bed-side manner is |
| internet makes it so easy. What are you paying for | | | | strong as well. Every touch point needs to reassure |
| supplies? Lever technology and get your medical | | | | your patient that this is going to be a good experience. |
| supplies wholesale online. Finding the right disposable | | | | While the present market offers real challenges, with |
| product provider cuts out the retail middle man and can | | | | the right information, you can really make your dental |
| make all the difference to your profitability. | | | | practice a stronger, more profitable business. |
| - Appeal to Potential Patients Online. You aren’t the | | | | |