7 Tips to Grow Your Dental Practice Sustainably

Growing and maintaining a steady stream of new patients is important to growing a dental practice, but it’s not the only thing you can do. Savvy dental practice owners understand that sustainable practice growth requires two other complementary actions: investing in patient retention and streamlining your office operations. 

There are a bunch of strategies to help you grow your practice. Here are our top strategies to take your practice to the next level.  

1 | Focus on a Positive Patient Experience

Online reviews often focus on interactions with staff and customer service (or lack thereof). This makes the patient experience in interactions with your staff critical to retention and loyalty. Train all staff to focus on creating a positive patient experience. A smile and going the extra mile to help patients can really set the tone at a practice while contributing to an overall positive experience. 

2 | Improve Patient Engagement

Patient engagement increases appointment volume and loyalty. It can also improve patient education and better health outcomes. Patient engagement can be achieved through several types of strategies:

• Email Marketing - A monthly newsletter can keep your practice top of mind for patients, share educational blogs, promotions you are running, as well as operational updates and reminders.
• Video - This is the most engaging form of digital content, driving views and greater engagement. For dentists, video can be used as both a promotional and educational tool. Set up a YouTube account for your practice and make sure your SEO strategy is on point. Also try short form videos on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok–remember to focus your efforts on the platform where most of your audience is! 
• Text Messaging - This is another good way to send reminders to your audience that prefers this form of communication.

3 | Drill Down on Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

No one wants to drive 2 hours to see a dentist, so focusing your marketing efforts on reaching local new patients is key. Optimize your SEO to be local. Use relevant key words for your service area, such as city, metro area, or county. Don’t forget to optimize your Google business profile so your practice has the best chance of showing up in the Google Local Pack (the map that displays the top 3 local business listings triggered by location-based searches). 

4 | Improve Staff Productivity

Find ways to keep overhead in check by streamlining your front office operations. Some options include:

• Practice management technology
• Two-way text messaging
• Online scheduling
• Digital intake

5 | Encourage Patient Referrals

Word of mouth is one of the most powerful strategies because your current patients can be your greatest advocates, but you have to ask! Encourage patients to recommend your practice to their friends and family through tasteful signage in your office and reminders in email newsletters. A great incentive is offering a discount on their next service for a successful referral. 

6 | Get Active in Your Community 

You can gain visibility for your practice in your community by sponsoring local schools, sports teams, and fundraisers. This drives brand preference by aligning your values with those in your community and boosts loyalty, all while elevating your practice’s local reputation. This helps you build sustainable growth over time. 

7 | Use Rollens!

Using Rollens to protect your patients’ eyes during exams and cleanings can make your patients feel comfortable and lets them know you care about their safety. Rollens is the largest selling wrap-a-round protective lens in the medical market thanks to its lightweight and unique grip-flex design. Its contoured shape gently holds the lens close to the face, offering significantly more protection while still offering the ultimate comfort level! 

Plus, Rollens is Veteran-Owned and made in America–shop Rollens today!