Times have changed, and the strategies that were effective a year ago are already becoming obsolete. In today’s competitive dental market, reactivating inactive patients and expanding treatments with existing patients are important tactics, but they are not sufficient for sustained growth. To ensure a steady flow of appointments and maintain a full schedule, developing a predictable system for attracting and retaining new patients is critical. This system goes beyond merely having an overflow of patients; it involves building a base of patients who seek the treatments you enjoy providing. 

Learn more in this Free Practice Builder session: 

With over 80% of new patients choosing their dentist online, your strategy must start with your online presence. Your website should reflect the type of patients you want to attract and the treatments you want to offer. If you want to increase your number of implant patients, your website’s messaging and imagery should clearly communicate that. If your focus is on families or cosmetic treatments, ensure your online content reflects these priorities. 

To create an effective online presence, consider these priorities: 

1. Optimize Your Website: Ensure that your website is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and mobile-responsive. Highlight the services you want to promote prominently and ensure the site reflects the quality and professionalism of your practice.
2. Content Marketing: Regularly update your website with blog posts, patient testimonials, and educational content that showcases your expertise and the benefits of your treatments.
3. SEO and PPC: Invest in search engine optimization (SEO) to improve your website’s ranking on search engines. Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising can also drive targeted traffic to your website.
4. Social Media Marketing: Maintain an active presence on social media. Post regularly and engage with your audience through comments, messages, and interactive content such as polls and Q&A sessions.
5. Online Reviews: Encourage satisfied patients to leave positive reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, and Facebook. Respond to reviews—both positive and negative—to show that you value patient feedback and are committed to improving your practice.

Moreover, more than 65% of new patients want to book an appointment immediately after making their choice. So, it is essential to have an online booking functionality that is straightforward and user-friendly. 

Before deciding, over 76% of new patients will check out your practice on social media. This statistic underscores the importance of having an engaging, approachable, and active presence on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. These platforms favor video content and frequent updates, so aim to share authentic, impromptu snippets of your practice. This could include team birthdays, happy patient moments, showcasing cool technology, or anything that highlights the unique aspects of your practice to your target audience. 

Here are some other ideas: 

• Patient Testimonials: Share stories from happy patients who have had positive experiences with your practice. 
• Behind-the-Scenes: Show what happens behind the scenes at your practice. This could include staff celebrations, day-to-day activities, or the latest technology you’re using. 
• Educational Videos: Create short videos that explain dental procedures, offer tips for dental care, or discuss the benefits of various treatments. 
• Live Q&A Sessions: Host live sessions where you answer common dental questions and engage directly with your audience. 
• Once you establish a steady and predictable flow of new patients, you gain the ability to control your schedule more effectively. This control allows you to decide how full you want your schedule to be and tailor it according to your preferences and capacity.  
• With a consistent influx of new patients, you can: 
• Work the number of days you desire. 
• Scale up by taking on an associate dentist. 
• Limit your practice to the treatments you enjoy providing, instead of accepting whatever walks in the door. 
• Implement other strategies that facilitate controlled growth. 

Transitioning from empty chairs to a full schedule is achievable with the right strategies. By focusing on building a predictable system for attracting and retaining new patients, and leveraging the power of your online presence, you can ensure a steady flow of appointments. This approach allows you to work the way you want, providing the treatments you enjoy, and fostering controlled growth in your practice. 

Don’t let outdated tactics hold your practice back. Embrace the changes, implement these strategies, and watch as your practice thrives with a full schedule and happy, satisfied patients.

This free Practice Builders webinar can help.  Click below to register!