From patient payments to coordination with insurance companies, dental billing processes can strain staff resources. Even though you value patient care and communication, dental billing can get in the way of fulfilling your customer service goals.

Remote billing can streamline your dental billing operations, freeing up resources and time to focus on what’s most important.

Continue reading to learn about how common dental complications come about so you can gain awareness of the root causes.

Not enough information

In most cases, lack of information causes snags in workflows. This is because dental insurance plans are not always consistent when it comes to dental codes and procedures common in most dental offices.

Claims must be supported with all the pertinent information and contain detailed explanations about the procedures, services and the medical rationale behind the treatment. Patient information, charts and dental history for the last six months should also be at the ready.

Deadlines lapse

Another common issue that can lead to dental claim denial is missed deadlines. Insurance companies will provide a filing claim window and, in most cases, claims that are not submitted by the deadline will be denied. Most plans allow for a one-year limit, whereas others will only allow for 90 days.

As a workaround, dental practices can implement a policy that prioritizes early submissions.

Data entry mistakes

A dental office is typically a fast-moving operation. While your practice does everything possible to avoid mistakes when it comes to treatment, unfortunately, billing errors are nearly inevitable.

A simple transposition of an enrollee’s ID number, for example, can spiral into a bigger billing issue that will require a lot of attention from all parties involved.

Limits to coverage

Limitations, exclusions and frequencies are all components of consideration in dental coverage.

For example, dental plans establish a maximum amount for dental treatment that will be covered on an annual basis. In addition, some plans include frequency limits, which speak to how many times some procedures can be performed and covered within a certain time frame.

Dental offices should carefully review all coverage limits to determine costs and availability of coverage. If the treatment is extensive, dental offices can request a predetermination to learn about upfront costs and coverage.

Outdated information

Another common reason for a claim denial is starting with outdated insurance information. A patient will be quickly denied if the policy has ended or was modified. Recent job changes or open enrollment updates can cause a little confusion, too.

That’s why it’s important for dental offices to conduct regular dental insurance eligibility verification.

Insurance denials are difficult for your patients and your office.

When a claim bounces back unpaid, your office will need to scramble in an attempt to recoup costs. Furthermore, there’s no promise that your office will be able to regain what it’s owed.

Denied claims have a cumulative effect, draining staff resources while correcting the errors and draining financial resources when payments go unfulfilled.

It’s possible for one dental office manager to juggle treatment plans and accounts receivable processes without compromising the quality of customer service. It’s when the administrative work piles up those other important areas of dental service begin to suffer.

In these situations, there’s simply not enough time to handle both the overwhelming billing complications and your dental practice’s desire to deliver high-quality care and service.

Over time, patients will begin to notice inefficiencies within the dental office as resources are redirected away from customer service to address other matters.

When it becomes too much, they will likely take their business elsewhere, resulting in a loss of revenue and trust in your business.

Remote billing is a possible solution with far-reaching benefits.

With the assistance of an expert remote billing team, your office can reduce costs, lighten the paperwork load and reclaim valuable time that can be dedicated to patient care and customer service.

With a dedicated team focusing on dental billing, collection and other customer functions, your office will free up resources and enhance the customer care experience at all levels.

The post How dental billing inefficiencies get started appeared first on Adams Dental Consulting.

In most patient experience surveys, the most common complaints inevitably circle back to matters dealing with payments, insurance and financial situations.

When your dental office has to talk about outstanding balances with patients, there’s a possibility for a disconnect between the parties.

After all, dental services are usually already rendered by the time questions about payments pop up. In many cases, dental offices provide an estimate based on dental coverage and bill the patient for their share of the cost. If the insurance responds by paying less than initially expected, it’s the responsibility of the dental office to engage the customer about the remaining balance.

This predicament can be a tricky one to navigate as the patient’s emotions can run high. Finding a resolution and responding to patients’ frustrations can be draining on staff, as well.

To ensure quality customer service as it relates to conversations about outstanding balances, take a look at the following guidance about how to tactfully and effectively address this delicate issue. As you’ll read below, timing is your biggest ally.

Monthly statements

Patients will receive monthly statements once the explanation of benefits is received and no other insurance payments are expected. At this point, patients will either pay the balance or phone your office to ask about the billing.

This can be an optimal time to reach out to patients about outstanding balances. The first step is for the office manager to thoroughly review all the financial documents to determine balances, how they came about and other details. Comprehensive notes should be easy to review on the patient’s file and every staff member should be apprised of the patient’s current billing status for a cohesive experience.

With all the information at the ready, your dental office can reach out to patients to explain the billing and answer any questions about their costs. Now that the team is prepared, your office can avoid giving out conflicting information, which can only further complicate matters and frustrate both patients and staff.

Proactively reaching out to patients in coordination with billing statements allows your office to both prepare for a conversation with all the facts on hand, and do so at an appropriate time.

Scheduled treatments

Another ideal time to discuss outstanding balances with patients is during and before scheduled treatments. In most cases, patients will return for follow-up visits without much time passing since their last visit. However, it’s likely enough time has passed to allow for the insurance process to unfold. By this time, your office will also know about any outstanding balances.

During scheduling, staff can discuss any balances due and what needs to be collected at the time of the next appointment. It’s important to discuss the previous balance and the expected out-of-pocket cost moving forward. The scheduler can confirm that payment will be made before or at the time of the next scheduled visit. This natural connection between billing and office follow-up allows dental offices to approach billing questions with minimal headaches on either end.

Cleaning or other dental work

A lot of time can lapse between patient visits. If there is no follow-up appointment scheduled for the treatment in question, dental offices can discuss any outstanding balance during other appointments, such as routine cleanings.

Unfortunately, waiting for their next recommended visit also means that the unpaid bill could sit for some time.

While it’s not ideal to wait, three, six or nine months, patients are more likely to make good on payments during an office visit.

The hygiene scheduler can take this opportunity to talk about an outstanding balance owed before confirming appointments. This is also the time to agree upon a repayment date, which should be set before the upcoming appointment. The dental office should take detailed notes of the discussion and also be prepared for a bill consult with the patient on the day of the appointment.

When the patient arrives for the appointment, the staff member handling the check-in should go over what was previously discussed and be prepared to answer any questions. This face-to-face interaction is an opportune time to review balances and get the ball rolling on repayment.

Remote billing

The administrative work of collecting payments and consulting with patients about insurance complications can drain a lot of resources.

With remote billing assistance, dental offices can gain much-needed support and regain their resources and time to focus instead on patient care and customer service.

Remote billing professionals will handle the everyday nitty-gritty that is accounts receivables, saving your dental office time and resources. This cost-saving service is available at a flat rate and gives your team access to a team of experts who can tackle any billing complication to get you paid more and faster. At the end of the day, your dental office can worry less about administrative tasks and focus more on delivering high-quality dental care and service.

The post How to approach patients about outstanding balances appeared first on Adams Dental Consulting.

The reality is that many dental professionals are experiencing the pushback of low dental case acceptance among their patients.

Despite a dental practice’s investment in education and outreach about dental health that set patients up with everything they need to succeed, reaching a high acceptance rate can be extremely challenging and draining.

An indicator of how much patients value their care and treatment is reflected in case acceptance data. This metric is one that you probably watch very closely, and for good reason. Not only is it an indicator of the state of your dental practice’s health — and of your patients’ — but it is also a roadmap on how to improve the patient experience.

Why do patients reject treatment?

Copious information found lack of information or health care illiteracy are big reasons why a lot of people will walk away from their treatment plan. Despite the availability of credible information, medical jargon and details about treatments can be perplexing. Patients might not feel comfortable. And in some cases, they’re steered away from learning what the treatment entails. In some cases, it may be as simple as not understanding why they need the treatment.

Unfortunately, misinformation about dental care is another wedge that keeps patients from seeking the advice and treatment they need.

The lack of relevant information foments patient anxiety. Patients can get lost in the web of medical information and hyperbole, clouding their judgment about what they should do next. Their anxiety grows as they begin to think about the associated discomfort of specific dental treatments as well.

Widen pathways for dental visits

Your office can turn around and improve acceptance rates through several tactics. With so many options and access to information about dental offices, it’s incumbent upon your staff to personalize the patient experience to stand out. From the moment they inquire via phone or email, patients will want to feel like they’re valued and respected.

Personalized dental plans allow your office to learn about individual patients and their health goals. When patients feel like they are part of the team and are valued as a voice on their road to good health, they will be more likely to be on board and follow through on treatment and advice.

From surveys of new and returning patients and personalized customer service, the dental office can capture information about patient goals and progress. You will see what works well and what doesn’t. Most of all, patients will feel like they have a voice and will be presented with a comprehensive roadmap that achieves the best possible dental outcome in the shortest amount of time.

Tell customers the benefits

Increasing dental case acceptance means that your patients understand the benefits of routine dental care and treatment. Sadly, patients do not always see the big picture of their overall health journey. To them, they’re on the right track if they keep up with brushing twice daily. Of course, this is just the minimum amount of activity.

With a trove of information about the benefits of treatment, oral hygiene, regular visits and other practices that are conducive to good dental health, educated patients will unlock new possibilities toward excellent health.

Through email, website content, social media and other outreach, you can present patients with all the information they need to make informed and reasonable decisions about their dental health. Telling them the realities if they do not follow the recommended course is also information they should know about. Loaded with this information, patients are also more likely to stick to their plan and keep up with treatment.

Make it easier to schedule appointments

Now more than ever, people have busy schedules. It can be difficult for patients to find a time slot that works to come in and see the dentist. Regular office hours like 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. might still not work well for a lot of people. Increasing access to your office on off hours and weekends will go a long way for people who can’t seem to find time during their week for a checkup.

Adding weekend hours and streamlining appointment requests online or by phone gives patients peace of mind that it’s easy to get an appointment, no matter their schedule.

Follow up more than once

A thank you email is welcome, but your patient will want additional follow-up from your office, especially after discussing a new course of treatment or procedure.

Give patients time to think and absorb the prognosis, solution and financial costs. When you follow up, you give the patient an opportunity to ask any questions that will guide their decision-making. Your attention and interest in their health will also build up goodwill, which is critical anytime you’re working toward increasing your office’s dental case acceptance.

We would be happy to discuss case acceptance further with you. Contact us today!

The post How dental practices can improve case acceptance goals appeared first on Adams Dental Consulting.

As a multistep activity, there’s no reason why dental offices should be stuck in the past when conducting payment transactions. Too many things can go wrong during the payment management process, which can also unnecessarily drain office staff resources.

With remote dental billing services, for example, your office can reduce claim denials. Getting bogged down with claim denials costs your team time and energy that should be applied elsewhere. With remote dental billing services, however, it’s possible to ensure that every patient has an opportunity to provide prompt and accurate payments.

Enhancing your billing functionality is as easy as your office working with a team of specialists. Remote billing specialists are familiar with the minutiae and best practices of billing and claims processes and are equipped with the latest technology. With some guidance and implementation, your dental practice can streamline administrative tasks and ensure payments are received on time and more efficiently.

Here is some information on our remote billing services.

Improves Customer Service

Designed to make sure every step in the payment process moves forward without a hitch, remote dental billing services enhances the customer experience. Our system is powered by a robust background operation that minimizes disruption to daily workflows, moving things along so you and your patients can focus on dental care.

Our remote billing services are available at various levels depending on the dental practice’s size and projected insurance collections. It is packed with features that facilitate an efficient flow of the payment process, resulting in quick and accurate payments. The reason for this is the system will take notice and act on every payment-processing detail.

Increases Revenue

Outsourcing your billing frees up your staff to not only focus on the patients,  but to also give your staff the opportunity to increase revenues by following up on treatment plans and scheduling patients for productive appointments.

Seamless Transition

The system will not require a total overhaul to your current workflow and systems. Instead, the updated system will work with your current electronic claims submission processing. Once connected to your operation, the remote billing services review each claim and detail to reduce the chance of error.

Operating in the background, the remote dental billing services will seamlessly integrate with your dental office’s current infrastructure for effective and under-the-radar support. The support is designed to operate alongside your current operation and will not interfere with everyday workflows. So, the learning curve is virtually nonexistent because this system is plug-and-go ready.

Accurate Tracking

If tracking and keeping accurate and updated dental records is a high priority, then this system is for you. Updates to patient ledgers are inputted in an accurate and timely manner. Insurance payments and adjustments are posted from EOBs and EFTs to ensure that all patient information is the most recent.

The system leaves no stone unturned and keeps claims moving forward. Specialized software will track and take action on those that exceed a certain limit set by your office. Old claims will no longer get lost in the shuffle and will be handled efficiently. All actions will be based on the claim status.

Expedites The Payment Process

With the assistance of remote dental billing services, your dental office can regain the confidence that it will be paid on time, perhaps quicker than before. The enhanced billing system will expedite the payment process and add clarity to the billing process. It will demystify the complex insurance-billing process. Working with a team of specialists, dental staff will not need to concern themselves with how to interpret complex EOBs or how to move forward with adjustments.

Every step in the payment process will come easy. Our system guarantees that things move quickly so your dental office is paid on a schedule that works best. It also lets you reclaim office resources that can otherwise be diverted to handling insurance payments and claims. Most of all, remote dental billing services let you put most of your energy and focus on patients and their most pressing dental needs.

Contact us today if you are interested in learning more about our dental remote billing services!

The post Remote dental billing services improve accuracy, expedite payments appeared first on Adams Dental Consulting.

With some minor adjustments, your dental office will continually capture the attention of the customer base through crisp declarations of your brand and values and through the delivery of excellent dental care.

First impressions matter

Winning over the confidence and trust of a new patient will hinge on the dental practice’s ability to create a memorable and positive first impression. Every detail counts. From the appearance of your signage, entryway and waiting area, to the staff’s friendliness and your website’s ease of navigation, a great first impression is a concerted effort that demonstrates that your office is a well-oiled machine and always puts the patient first.

A new patient’s experience from the moment they call in to make an appointment to the moment they check out after their first visit will shape their perception of the dental office. It also can set in motion the start of an important relationship with your team for many years to come.

So go over what those steps currently look like with your team and how improvements could be made.

Bring new patients in for a tour

“Value adds” are something all consumers come to expect as businesses retool their approach to customer relations. Offering an office tour of your facility and a meet and greet with your dentist shows your willingness to take the time to make sure your patients are always comfortable – even if they’re not yet officially signed on as your patient quite yet.

A quick office tour can leave a strong first impression as it brings down barriers new patients feel during their first office visit. It’ll also be a memorable experience and not easily forgotten. It’s also something new patients would be eager to note when making a referral or leaving a positive online comment.

Build morale among staff

Patients will feel an extra level of comfort if they’re surrounded by positivity and energy from the entire staff. Building upon your staff’s morale is immediately evident and is evidence of a high-performing dental office.

Assembling a complementary team that clicks, presenting team members with opportunities to grow, recognizing performance and creating an overall positive work environment are just some of the ingredients that go into a happy and productive workplace.

When everything seems to click, patients will take notice and are more likely to click on the “like button” once they’re ready to digitally endorse.

Build in more efficiencies

When it comes to performing routine and specialized dental care, you have all your bases covered, but make sure there are no loose ends in the customer service experience. Patients want to be looped in throughout the process in a hassle-free way. They should be informed about expectations at every step and directed to the information they need to get through the process without any delays.

Look for opportunities to remind patients of what they need to know. A recorded message as they wait on hold, or a short text message will streamline the administrative process and get them in and out more efficiently with a bigger smile on their face.

Constantly inform

Whether you’re telling patients about the office’s use of the latest dental tech for X-rays and CEREC restoration, they should have easy access to materials that educate them about equipment and treatments that will enhance their dental health.

Generally, patients look forward to hearing about the latest technology, especially in dental care. That’s why it’s prudent to offer patients opportunities to learn about today’s dental practices and treatments on social media, on your website, in their email inboxes and elsewhere.

Patients seek out information about their choices and will respond well to your coordinated effort to keep them well informed.

If you are seeking dental practice consulting services, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

The post How dental practices can enhance the patient experience appeared first on Adams Dental Consulting.

As you think about the next steps and evolution of your dental practice, here are some tips that can boost profitability and the overall value of the dental practice business.

Be attentive of the numbers

A regular review of the dental your practice monthly, quarterly and annual overhead figures ensure you can spot and track negative and favorable trends – and take timely action to correct or stay on course.

The better in step you are with your financials, the more informed decisions you can make when a lot is on the line. Specialized software and expert insights will let you make the most out of data-driven decision making.

Show staff you care for them, too

In the day-to-day efforts of running a successful dental practice, finding time for a pause to recognize the staff’s hard work can be elusive. Your staff is part of the soul of your practice, and are deserving of regular attention. Treat them as they are: your most valuable assets.

You can advance staff morale by holding more positive one-on-one and group interactions, performance recognition and awards and by communicating your appreciation in other forms. These are all good ways to build on healthy work culture. Staff is an extension of your values and principles that you want your patients to feel at every step of their experience.

Boosting staff morale exponentially increases your team’s ability and enthusiasm to deliver a positive customer service experience that everyone will be talking about.

Conduct outreach on the basics  

Patients should find the process of scheduling, keeping and moving appointments easy. Hassle-free appointment scheduling will depend on the dental office’s ability to effectively reach out to patients.

A simple call, text, email reminder, or combination, will make life easier. Remember that patients have different habits and preferences, so make sure that your outreach is user friendly.

Other patient outreach on social media, in email inboxes and on your website, are also indispensable to the overall patient experience. So, make sure your outreach and marketing wheels are constantly turning and addressing the needs of your audience. Patients will be happier if they are reached out to before, during and after their dental office visits.

Be in touch with pricing

Getting overhead where it needs to be, requires an awareness of competitive pricing. Of course, the least expensive equipment and software are not always built for long-term profitability. The prudent strategy is to analyze the benefits and see how certain investments will play out over time.

For instance, non-critical equipment can fall into a budgetary bucket that allows for some pricing flexibility. Whereas dental offices should never compromise on the costs for tools that help facilitate high-quality dental diagnostics and care.

We offer extensive dental practice consulting services and would be honored to answer any further questions you might have.

The post Strategies that boost a dental practice’s bottom line appeared first on Adams Dental Consulting.

The care and focus on customer service is the right thing to do. But if your dental practice is expanding its workforce, client base or office space at a new location, there is no greater partner for growing your business than the people who sit in the dental chair.

Many practices are fortunate to work with a base of loyal patients who come in regularly. They also refer family and friends to your practice. Your clients’ loyalty means that they will trust you for all routine and specialized care.

How to build loyalty

Social media, online marketing campaigns, word of mouth and other outreach are all competing with your practice for the attention of new patients. People have plenty of options for dental care, but a concerted effort will help attract and retain patients.

Your dental practice’s outreach should tell a story. People want to know how you’re unique. They also want to know why they should receive dental treatment from your practice. Your message must be strategically reinforced for optimal outcomes.

One sure way to get your message out is through regular social media interaction. Posts shouldn’t emphasize “selling,” but should instead represent value and a little personality. If you mention a service or product, make sure it’s only around 20% of your content. The remainder should focus on patient education and other friendly messaging.

Targeted emails are another way to build loyalty. Following up on questions or concerns from your patients is important. So, if a patient asks about dental implants, don’t forget to follow up and answer any questions your patient might have. This strategy can be used over several months as mini reminders to patients that you care about their well-being. This is one of the many acts you can do to build trust.

Emails can also work as blanket messages that reach everyone. By regularly reaching out, you can keep patients in the loop and top of mind. Remember to take this opportunity to lighten the mood and not overload them with information. Casual emails can also help your patients feel connected instead of overwhelmed. This positive interaction will not be lost on them the next time they visit or call to schedule an appointment.

Customized content, instead of massed-produced materials, sets a favorable tone. When patients see that their needs are being addressed through thoughtful web content, emails and social, your dental practice can stand out from the rest.

It’s important to listen to the needs of your patients at every moment. Customizing content that relates to their questions or concerns and opening channels of communication build trust and remind your patients that you are a reliable partner in their dental health journey.

Connecting with patients

Remember that the patient chooses to come to you more than once. Every time they make an appointment, they are making a decision to have you as their dentist.

Their decision is based on the sum of the customer service experience, care and perception. Online reviews, social media and website content can all shape the patients’ views, as you know.

Another point that underscores the importance of a comprehensive customer service program is found in a recent study that shows millennials are not as attached to their dental care provider as other generations. Millennials can be more driven by several influences when choosing dentists.

The bottom line, however, will be about the energy you put in to always treat people with respect, dignity and compassion.

Remember that building and maintaining relationships goes beyond an oral exam and teeth cleaning. Take any and all opportunities to connect with your patients through customer-first practices that remind them that you care about their well-being.

If you would like more tips, don’t hesitate to contact us and ask about our consulting services!

The post Build loyalty with patient-first customer service appeared first on Adams Dental Consulting.

No-shows or cancellations are costly. Depending on the size of your practice, a regular cancelation rate can quickly add up to unnecessary revenue losses.

While no dental practice will ever be immune from patient cancellations, there are ways to reduce the number of no-shows. Here are five tips that can help your patients fulfill their appointment promises and keep things flowing smoothly each day.

Accommodate patients

With a personality profile, dental professionals will have a better sense of what makes patients tick, which is particularly important when setting up appointments.

Not all patients want an appointment reminder. Some patients will want to check their smartphone and plug in the appointment time. Others will need multiple written and email reminders.

By accommodating your patients’ preferences from the first moment you set up an appointment, the greater the likelihood that they’ll keep the appointment.

Offer day-of services

This is going above and beyond, but if there’s an opportunity to work in same-day appointment, some patients will greatly appreciate the convenience of this option.

Sure, it’ll take effort to move things around to fit in another procedure.

But eliminating a potential headache of a future cancellation will be worth it. Same-day appointments will not be for everyone, but others will be very happy to sign up for one.

Post practice policy

Whatever your cancellation policy is, make sure patients have a chance to take a look. If a patient is a repeat offender, take the time to remind them about the office’s policy on a missed appointment. A simple and friendly reminder might be all the patient needs to make good on their commitment.

If the practice imposes a fee for missed appointment, you can also consider waiving it as a courtesy. Your understanding will go a long way in building good will and might even prevent the next cancellation from occurring.

Create value

When patients get the sense that the information you convey to them during their appointments is invaluable and crucial to their dental health, they’ll listen a little more closely.

When you speak the patient’s language and deliver a patient-first experience each time, the value of your service grows exponentially. There’s no better way to offer value than by putting the patient’s unique needs front and center.

When a patient comes to expect this level of value each time, it’ll be hard for them to ignore how well you treat them. That might just be enough reason for them to keep all appointments.

Confirm with patient

If a patient is going to cancel, some notice is better than none.

You can confirm appointments or cancellations as early as possible by sending out an additional reminder on the day of the appointment. Offices that send out reminders early in the morning can get several hours’ notice of a cancellation. If this system yields results, you might consider sending the reminder a day prior, which can give the office a full day to recover an appointment slot.

If you would like more tips, don’t hesitate to contact us and ask about our consulting services!

The post How to avoid patient no-shows and cancellations appeared first on Adams Dental Consulting.

This process can take at least two years to properly plan and execute, especially in today’s climate. Once your practice is valued, the planning for practice transition can begin to take shape. So, wherever you are in the process, the following tips can guide you through this exciting time and help increase the value of your sale.

Start right now

Even if retirement is still years away, early planning will provide a clear roadmap for successfully making this transition.

In the unlikely event that you must sell earlier than expected, it’s possible that your return upon a sale that’s rushed will be significantly lower than one that’s planned out for at least a year.

A sudden death or disability can lead to an early sale. In other cases, poor business planning can result in a premature sale. For this reason, doctors are urged to commission an appraisal for their practice. From there, dental practice leaders can build and implement a customized business roadmap years ahead of the anticipated date of retirement or sale.

Location is another consideration that warrants advance planning. Depending on where your business is located, it could be more challenging to identify a viable buyer.

Handing over management to a new dentist also requires a large investment of time, especially in the case of specialty practices. When you give yourself and the incoming owner sufficient time, you can ensure a smooth transition for yourself and your predecessor. This approach is not only business-first but patient-first, too.

The reality is that a transition of this scope simply takes time. To achieve the full benefits of your transition plan, you will have to practice patience and allow for the strategies to develop and produce the benefits you envisioned.

Finally, playing the long game will also set you up to succeed financially in that you have plenty of time to accumulate assets and ensure retirement security. Prospective sellers sometimes fail to project the full value of their assets, which can strain their post-practice budgeting.

Boost marketing

It may seem counterintuitive to invest in outreach if you plan on transitioning. As retirement comes closer, in fact, doctors will curtail on their marketing efforts. Across the industry, some may even cut off their efforts altogether. This can be a costly error.

As your marketing efforts decline, so will new patient leads. Other numbers are also likely to drop. These numbers will not look favorable to prospective buyers. If your numbers continue to slide down, it would not be unreasonable for an incoming buyer to ask for a steep discount given all the ground that will have to be made up.

To maintain a healthy flow of returning and new patients, it’s vital to keep up with your marketing efforts. Showcasing your business in its best possible light is good business for the now and for your transition.

If you want to get back on track, a good starting point is polishing your internal marketing efforts. This will boost referrals from patients and staff. Next, consider refreshing your webpage, investing in search engine optimization campaigns and expanding social media.

Control overhead

It’s an easy equation to consider: The lower the overhead, the wider the profit margin will be. This outcome will produce an optimal sales price too.

During this planning period, practice due diligence in all financial reviews to keep the business performing at a high and efficient level.

The annual budget should be as detailed as possible, outlining specific amounts for major categories. Personal and discretionary spending must also be tracked and tallied to determine the actual business profits.

Of course, labor costs are the heaviest overhead item. As such, doctors must practice prudence when determining increases, especially if the practice is not growing at an ideal pace. Instead, practice owners in this position can provide bonuses.

Raise fees

It’s natural to shy away from raising fees, especially if you’ve been at it for a long time.

The reality is that annual fee increases drive profitability, and of course, the practice’s overall value. Raising fees is directly related to profitability because it’s tied to collections the practice brings in. This steadily increasing number will also leave a favorable impression on a prospective buyer.

If you are interested in a consultation on how to sell your practice, contact us today!

The post Retiring or selling your dental practice? How to maximize value appeared first on Adams Dental Consulting.

Unlike a previous era, dental strategies revolve around appealing office designs, advanced marketing campaigns and even process automation.

Still, your top priority as a dental leader is to provide quality and affordable services to those in your care. As you build on your past successes and look forward to reaching new milestones, it’s good to know that there are plenty of tools and strategies at your disposal to get you to where you want to be.

The following tips can help grow your business and maintain a high level of success.

Empower patients

The explosive and ongoing growth of the digital world means patients are as savvy and connected as ever before. By keeping up, your practice can open wide lines of communication with your patients.

This is not just about important reminders via text. This is an opportunity to empower your patients to visualize what they can expect when they visit your office for a routine checkup or procedure, for example.

Ease of communication also allows you to directly inform patients about insurance, out-of-pocket costs and other pertinent information they want to know about. Your willingness to open the door of communication wide open can be a huge asset.

Quick appointments

As mentioned above, it’s vital to leverage technology and instant connectivity to boost customer service.

With the use of a specialized appointment management system and a savvy administrative assistant, you can enhance the way your patients make, adjust and reschedule appointments.

Minimize no-shows

Integrate a reminder system with your flow of appointments to reduce the number of no-shows.

Simple text alerts, notifications, emails and other outreach will deliver timely updates to patients. You can also track if these notifications were read and adjust as needed. Not only will you reduce no-shows, but you will also demonstrate to patients how much you care about their well-being.

Customize care for older patients

When working with older individuals, a primary task is to put the patient at ease.

The industry has come a long way in recognizing the need to augment patient ease. Increased awareness about this and the oral health needs of older patients has also driven demand for geriatric specialists. So, when it comes to treating the older population, dental professionals must pay particular attention to their needs by developing skills and understanding their concerns.

Nurture leads

A robust CRM suite will be invaluable in finding and nurturing leads.

While a powerful system is indispensable in this regard, it’s also important to get staff trained and adapted to the system. When everyone is on board, the likelihood of a potential patient slipping away dramatically drops.

Evaluate patient satisfaction

The quality of care and level of patient satisfaction will determine whether or not patients return. In addition, patient satisfaction will also have a major impact on referrals. Unlike most all other industries, the opinion of a dental patient carries a lot more weight with respect to how it will influence other potential patients.

This reality underscores the importance of constantly evaluating patient satisfaction reports and proactively adjusting based on feedback and patient experience.

Another important step is to publicize positive feedback from patients. Categorizing feedback makes it easier for patients to review testimonials.

Finally, remember that the patient’s first point of contact will leave a lasting impression, which will assuredly make its way into social reviews. That’s why it’s important to evaluate feedback on all aspects of service and train staff accordingly.

Market the basics

Sometimes, outreach and marketing materials get too far into the weeds. While this approach is useful in some cases, it’s also a good practice to market the basic dental principles to your audience.

This includes information about how often to visit the dentist or tips about basic oral hygiene. So, as you plan your outreach, don’t underestimate the value of sticking to the basics.

On-phone experience

When a new patient calls for the first time, there are some basic customer service approaches to keep in mind that will establish a connection.

Staff should be trained to answer the phone with a smile, for instance. New or returning patients should never be put on hold for longer than two minutes, especially if they have an urgent request.

If the staff member does not have an answer, it’s best to respond with “let me find out,” instead of saying “I don’t know.”

Staff should always return calls promptly and use a professional and friendly tone.

Market plans

Market your practice’s special care plans. This information is sorely needed, as patients with special needs are at higher risk — and they might not even know it.

Not all patients are aware about the connection between oral and overall health. Since the status of their oral condition can have serious implications on their overall health, dental practices should go above and beyond to educate their patients about specialized services and the wide-ranging benefits of care.

If you are interested in learning more ways to grow your practice, don’t hesitate to contact us!

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