Accelerating New Patient Starts: A Guide to Streamline the Orthodontic Journey

September 07, 2023

In the realm of orthodontics, the journey from a prospective patient's initial discovery of your practice to becoming a loyal advocate can be a transformative experience. As an orthodontic marketing agency, we understand the significance of not only attracting new patients but also ensuring that their transition from discovery to endorsement is smooth and efficient. In this blog post, we'll delve into strategies to shorten the life cycle from finding your practice to becoming patients who eagerly refer their friends and family.

Crafting an Irresistible Online Presence

In today's digital age, the online presence of your orthodontic practice is your first impression. An appealing and user-friendly website, active social media profiles, and positive patient reviews play a pivotal role in establishing credibility and trust. Ensure that your website provides comprehensive information about your services, treatment options, and showcases before-and-after photos to demonstrate your expertise. Engaging social media content and regular updates can keep your audience engaged and informed.

Seamless Initial Contact and Consultation

Once potential patients find your practice online, it's crucial to make their initial contact experience seamless. Implement a user-friendly appointment booking system on your website, allowing patients to request consultations at their convenience. Respond promptly to inquiries, either through phone calls or emails, to showcase your commitment to patient care.

During consultations, make patients feel valued and heard. Explain treatment options clearly and address their concerns comprehensively. A well-conducted consultation can set the tone for a positive patient experience.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Every patient is unique, and their treatment plans should reflect that. Tailor treatment plans to each patient's specific needs and goals. Personalization not only enhances treatment efficacy but also demonstrates your dedication to providing the best possible care. This level of individual attention makes patients more likely to stay committed and become advocates for your practice.

Exceptional Patient Experience

Providing an exceptional patient experience is key to shortening the life cycle from initial visit to endorsement. Create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your practice, where patients feel comfortable and well-cared for. Train your staff to be friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, as their interactions can greatly impact patient perception.

Offering a remote monitoring system like DentalMonitoring® can extend time between appointments from an average of seven weeks up to 14 weeks, irrespective of treatment modality. That's great for patients who already have busy schedules and are overburdened especially Millenial parents who are used to engaging with technology in new and different ways. The next generation of DentalMonitoring® AI will also allow you to see comparative data about your practice and how it performs against other practices. This data can help you determine where to invest in training and what workflows can be improved to give patients a superior experience at your practice. Promoting the fact that you offer DentalMonitoring® and the difference it makes to patients can be a differentiator that converts new patients!

Regularly gather patient feedback and use it to improve your services. Address any concerns promptly and make necessary adjustments to ensure a consistently positive experience.

Engage and Educate

Keep your patients engaged even after their treatment is complete. Send regular newsletters or email updates with valuable oral health tips, industry insights, and practice updates. This continued engagement helps maintain a strong connection with your patients and keeps your practice top of mind when they interact with their friends and family.

Leverage Online Reviews and Testimonials

Positive online reviews and patient testimonials can be powerful tools in attracting new patients and gaining their trust. Encourage satisfied patients to share their experiences. Highlight these endorsements to showcase the real-life impact of your services.

Community Engagement

Active involvement in your local community can further accelerate the life cycle of patients turning into advocates. Participate in local events, health fairs, or school programs to showcase your commitment to the community's well-being. This can lead to positive exposure and increased referrals.

The journey from discovering your orthodontic practice to becoming loyal endorsers involves a combination of a strong online presence, exceptional patient experience, personalized care, and community engagement. By focusing on each stage of the patient life cycle and continuously improving your services, you can create a streamlined path that not only shortens the cycle but also cultivates a network of dedicated advocates who willingly recommend your practice to friends and family.

As an orthodontic marketing agency, People + Practice is here to help you implement these strategies and maximize your practice's growth potential. We have solutions that engage and convert patients. Book a free marketing consultation today.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

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