Quarantined. On lockdown. Practicing social distancing. The language of our times not only defines life as we know it\u2026it also substantially impacts how you build and renew dental patient relationships during COVID-19.<\/p>\n
Timely perspective from Dental Products Report<\/a> clarifies this needed shift in our approach to patient relationships during and post-pandemic.<\/p>\n \u201dPatients are becoming more sophisticated and they will continue to challenge you on multiple levels. As nearly 1\/4th of the world\u2019s 7.8 billion people are, for the most part, stuck in their homes, daily life remains uncertain. When patients return to their habits, like regular dental checkups, keep in mind that they will need reassurance that dental providers are delivering safe, high-quality care.\u201d<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Business-as-usual won\u2019<\/span>t cut it <\/span>when you re-open<\/a><\/span> and begin treating patients again. It\u2019<\/span>s different now!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Personal safety is an obvious point of concern for everyone – your patients included. There\u2019s heightened awareness about certain guidelines<\/a> what is routine for you as a dental professional.<\/p>\n You can expect new awareness about these front-of-mind topics and and more.<\/p>\n Like you, your patients have weathered much. Some have lost their jobs, been forced to balance work-from-home life with family responsibilities, and have taken on the new role of home schooling their children.<\/p>\n Add to that the financial burden created by being laid-off or furloughed for an unforeseen period of time. With job loss can also come the loss of benefits such as dental insurance.<\/p>\n Health awareness is at an all-time high. Your patients are more symptom aware than ever before.<\/p>\n It\u2019s feared that a cough or fever is signaling the onset of something more serious. Combine that with the reality that any such symptom could prevent them from work, a daily routine, or the opportunity to improve their oral or physical health.<\/p>\n That\u2019s merely the tip-of-the-iceberg regarding what\u2019s on the collective mindset of your dental patients. Your awareness alongside an authentically sensitive narrative will combine to set your practice apart in this COVID-19 era of dentistry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now\u2019s the time to engage your patients by understanding their concerns.<\/p>\n You and your team are somewhat excited to return to patient care. And it\u2019s likely your patients are equally excited (cautiously so) to emerge from their quarantine \u201ccocoon\u201d and return to their routine – including an available or overdue dental appointment.<\/p>\n But be prepared to engage their questions and newly heightened fears or concerns. Because of COVID-19 remember what\u2019s routine for you and your team (e.g. infection control, treatment protocols, PPE, etc) is a significant point of concern for them.<\/p>\n Empathy is always in style. But during a crisis it\u2019s all the more valuable to effective communication with your dental patients.<\/p>\n Many have faced some form of a financial setback during the\u00a0pandemic. It could be related to their career or the prevailing wisdom to monitor spending until things level out.<\/p>\n Either scenario is supported by you helping to alleviate the financial burden being collectively felt by many. Back to communication – it\u2019s essential that you and your team are empathetically prepared to understand their cost concerns and communicate useful solutions.<\/p>\n These financial solutions also take into consideration that your practice has perhaps operated at a loss for a time during the pandemic. Your willingness to partner with your patients with viable financing options can be a win-win that can build and renew dental patient relationships long-term.<\/p>\n Like you, many of your patients will be returning to work and some form of a \u201cnormal\u201d routine. With that return to relative normalcy comes a desire to remain healthy.<\/p>\n It\u2019s natural to hope that part of their health consciousness includes dentistry. That desire though could be challenged by less time off, extended work hours to make up for lost income, or other related circumstances beyond their control.<\/p>\n Your customer (patient) service must adapt to their needs and their health-related concerns.<\/p>\n Re-opening your practice and how you build and renew your dental patient relationships requires some strategic planning. And that process is much easier when you have a streamlined organizational system for patient care.<\/p>\n Planet DDS\u2019s Denticon is the proven Dental Practice Management Software<\/a> in today\u2019s market among solo private practices, private group practices, and top DSOs<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Dental Dashboard<\/a> streamlines IT operations and reduces hardware costs.<\/p>\nUnderstanding your patient\u2019s mindset is vital to how you build and renew dental patient relationships now and in the future<\/h2>\n
Thinking about safety<\/h4>\n
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Concerned about finances<\/h4>\n
Compelled to stay healthy<\/h4>\n
At the intersection of patient mindset and practice culture are the keys to how you build and renew dental patient relationships during and beyond COVID-19<\/h2>\n
Realize that everything rises and falls on engaging and empathetic communication<\/h4>\n
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Reveal your willingness to assist them with necessary financial solutions<\/h4>\n
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Reward health consciousness with convenient and compelling customer (patient) service<\/h4>\n
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