As we approach the final months of the year, it’s the perfect time to ramp up efforts to maximize patient care and practice production. With National Dental Hygiene Month in October, now is a great opportunity to engage patients with reminders that benefit their oral health while also ensuring they take advantage of their dental insurance benefits before they expire.
In this edition, we’ll focus on effective ways to boost patient communication, leverage end-of-year benefits, and schedule unscheduled treatments to close out the year strong. Below are some key strategies you can start implementing right away.
1. Promote National Dental Hygiene Month with Targeted Outreach
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, making it a natural time to remind patients about the importance of oral health. Use this as a springboard to reach out to unscheduled scaling and root planing patients, encouraging them to schedule their next hygiene appointment. Here’s how you can get started:
- Pull a report of all patients who have unscheduled scaling and root planing needs. This helps you target those with the most urgent care requirements.
- Generate a call list from that report. This will help your team focus on high-priority patient outreach.
- Send a personalized text message or email reminder to patients about the importance of staying on top of their periodontal health.
Here’s an example of a patient-friendly message you can send:
“Hi [Patient’s Name], October is National Dental Hygiene Awareness Month! Did you know that having gum disease increases your risk of heart disease by as much as 20%? You are due for your oral health exam and hygiene appointment. Schedule your appointment today to prioritize your health! [insert office scheduling link here]”
2. Remind Patients to Use Their Insurance Benefits Before They Expire
Many patients may not realize that their dental insurance benefits reset at the end of the year, meaning unused benefits will be lost. This is an excellent opportunity to remind your patients about the importance of scheduling any outstanding treatments. By encouraging them to take action now, they can avoid losing valuable benefits and complete necessary treatments before the holidays.
To kick-start this campaign, consider the following steps:
- Compile a list of patients who have unused insurance benefits. This allows you to focus your outreach on those who stand to lose coverage for needed care.
- Generate a report of patients with unscheduled restorative treatment needs. These could include fillings, crowns, or other necessary procedures that patients have delayed but could still be completed this year.
- Send patient-facing reminders such as text messages or emails, highlighting the importance of using their benefits before they expire.
Here’s a sample message you can send:
“Hi [Patient’s Name], the end of the year is fast approaching, and we noticed that you still have unused dental insurance benefits. Don’t let them go to waste! Schedule your appointment today to make sure you get the most out of your plan before your benefits reset. [Office scheduling link here]”
3. Prepare for the Holiday Rush by Scheduling Appointments Now
The holidays are always a busy time, which can lead to scheduling challenges for both your practice and your patients. Encourage your patients to schedule their appointments now before the holiday rush is in full swing. By securing their spots early, they can ensure timely care, and your practice can optimize its schedule.
Here’s what you can do:
- Create a patient outreach strategy to fill up your schedule now with patients who need hygiene or restorative treatments. You can do this by sending personalized emails or calling patients directly to secure appointments.
- Plan your marketing messages to remind patients that your calendar is filling up quickly. This creates a sense of urgency and encourages them to schedule sooner rather than later.
Call to Action: Complimentary Assessment & Campaign Ideas
Taking these simple steps can help your practice finish the year strong, grow patient care, and increase your production. By pulling reports, generating patient lists, and sending reminders, you can ensure that your patients stay on top of their oral health and use their benefits wisely.
Need help getting started? Contact me for a complimentary assessment of your hygiene growth opportunities or to discuss examples of successful patient outreach campaigns! I’d be happy to provide additional insights tailored to your practice’s needs.
By taking these steps, not only will you boost your end-of-year production, but you’ll also enhance the quality of care for your patients—helping them improve their oral health and avoid losing valuable benefits.
If you have any questions or need support in implementing these strategies, I’m here to help.
Best regards,
The Dental Education Partners Team
