Top 5 tips to make things easy for your patients.
Make it easy for the patient to contact you. Picking up the phone should not be the only method available for patients to reach your office. Make sure your dental software has the capability of emailing and texting. Texting is the most popular and convenient way of communicating. 95% of texts are read within 3 minutes, so, it will also be the fastest way for you to get in touch with your patient.
Make it easy for the patient to pay you. Most patients have no problem with paying their bill. What they want is for it to be quick and easy. Have a software system that can securely store your patients’ credit card so at the end of the appointment you can simply ask them “Can I run this on your card on file?” Then email them their receipt. Another payment option is to have a payment link in your invoice email. Let the patient click on the link and enter their payment. You can also create a link on your website for payments. A company that can offer these payments services is Rectangle Health or even your current debit terminal provider.
Make it easy for patients to book their own appointments. Give patients the opportunity to book their dental appointment online. For some patients, the best time of the day to review their schedule is at the end of the day when your office is closed. Give them the freedom of seeing what appointments are available so they can choose what works best for them. You can determine the options available and for what type of appointments. Check with your software vendor to see if this is an option for you.
Make it easy for patients to fill out any dental forms. When you have a form for the patient to fill out it is not always enjoyable for them to do it in your reception room. Patients may not have the insurance card with them or remember the list of medications they take, or the number of their medical physician. Email the forms to them so they can fill it out in the comfort of their own home and have all the information they may need accessible. You can also email patients any consent form to them prior to their dental visit. Your software system may have eservices that could simplify this for you and even automatically upload it into your patients’ chart.
Make it easy for your patient to say yes to dentistry. When your patient is having a consultation with you to review their treatment options it can be overwhelming. They may be given a lot of information and will probably not retain it all. Email them their treatment options along with the fees in an easy to understand format using simple wording not dental lingo. Also follow up with your patient to see if they have any questions and to schedule their appointment if it is not already done. Patients should always be aware of their financial responsibility before the treatment is started and have an opportunity to ask questions.