4 Proven Strategies for Patient Engagement

Many dental practices focus heavily on attracting new patients, dedicating time and resources to filling their schedules with fresh faces. While this is undeniably important for the growth and vitality of a dental practice, it’s easy to lose sight of a valuable resource: existing patient engagement.

Neglecting current patients can lead to missed opportunities, such as unscheduled treatment, lack of referrals, and diminished trust. Additionally, the cost of acquiring new patients can be significant, often requiring additional investments in marketing, advertising, and special promotions. When existing patients leave due to a lack of engagement or follow-up, the practice ends up spending even more to replace them—creating an ongoing cycle of high acquisition costs and lost revenue. Instead of allowing patients to slip out the back door, focusing on retention ensures a more cost-effective and sustainable practice model.

Here are actionable tips to ensure patient engagement: 

1. Creating Strong Connections From the First Encounter

Many times as providers we jump right into diagnosing, treatment planning, and telling patients what they need. While this is completely necessary and an expectation on the patient’s part, we almost always miss the opportunity to connect and gain a deeper understanding of the patient’s true purpose for coming into the office. Hint: it is usually tied to an emotion, what X will give them. E.g., confidence, fresh breath, etc.

2. Enhance Patient Engagement Through Follow-Up, Communication, and Technology

Not all patients will schedule or complete all diagnosed treatments. There are many reasons—from fear, financial concerns, busy schedules, or simply forgetting about them. To keep patients engaged:

• Commit to Follow-Up: Set aside time daily to follow up on unscheduled treatment utilizing our 2-2-2 system making care calls and sending personalized reminders. Emphasize your concern and highlight the benefits of completing care sooner rather than later.
• Offer Value Beyond Appointments: Build trust and loyalty by positioning your practice as a trusted health resource. Provide educational content, such as blogs, newsletters, or webinars, about topics like preventative care, technology advancements, or common dental concerns. This shows patients you care about their well-being beyond their time in the chair.

3. Show Appreciation

A little gratitude goes a long way. Send thank-you notes, celebrate patient milestones (e.g., birthdays or anniversaries with your practice, even when they have completed all outstanding treatment), and implement a referral rewards program. When patients feel valued, they’re more likely to stay with your practice and recommend it to others.

4. Train Your Team to Focus on Patient Retention

Ensure your team understands the importance of patient retention to ensure that every patient leaves with their next preventive maintenance and active treatment appointment scheduled. 

When you invest in the patients you already have, you create a win-win situation. Patients feel valued and cared for, while your practice builds a strong foundation of trust and loyalty. By strengthening these relationships, you’ll find that not only are your patients no longer slipping through the cracks, but they are also helping your practice thrive while getting your patients healthier.

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