28 Nov 5 DENTAL PRACTICE MANAGEMENT PREDICTIONS FOR 2018
Dentistry is an ever-evolving field. Not only are there constant updates in dental technologies that practices need to adapt to, but the consumer and patient landscape is currently undergoing rapid change. Patients are now better informed about the details of many procedures and are demanding more value for money. They are also less loyal to one specific practice and in some situations, they are even looking at international treatment options where their dollar can stretch much further.
The ability to adapt to these changes and provide flexible, patient focused treatment is as important as it has ever been, and will continue to be over the next twelve months. Read on to discover five practice management trends to be thinking about right now as you plan your strategies for the new year.
Transparent Treatment Pricing and Payment Plans on the Rise
Industry experts have reported that in recent years, potential patients will do more research into the costs and financing options of treatment, than they will into the procedures themselves.
This means it’s important for practices to up the amount of information they provide to their customers, allowing them to compare apples with apples and make better informed decisions. By communicating openly with new and existing patients, you will stand out from the crowd and position your practice as an industry leader.
Providing treatment plans, that suit the various client lifestyles and budgets, while also offering preferred provider arrangements, dental treatment membership plans or monthly payment plans, will all continue to be important ways practices can help patients feel more comfortable about what they’re paying for and why they’re choosing your practice.
While many practices are understandably reluctant to publish specific pricing information on websites and other marketing material, giving indicative price brackets or highlighting your ability to tailor treatment and payment plans to suit individual needs will be crucial to your success in 2018 and beyond.
Patients Are Going to Continue Living Longer
The 2016 census confirmed that the aging population trend is set to continue, and some research suggests that by 2030, there will be just as many Australians who are 60 or older as there are under 20’s.
But people aren’t just living longer, they’re also working longer and staying more active later in life than ever before. The newer generations of elderly Australians have all worked under decades of employer and individual superannuation contributions, so many will retire with more disposable income to spend on their health and well being later in life.
There is likely to be increased demand and interest in restorative and preventative treatments that will help these patients keep their natural – or natural looking – teeth for longer.
Why not look at your existing patient database and start discussing older age dental care with those aged 55 and above right now?
You’ll Need Flexible Staffing Options
The Australian Dental Association have found that many new graduate dentists are working two or three jobs to make up a full time equivalent wage. There is also an increase in practices having visiting specialists, such as oral surgeons, one day a week or fortnight to offer an extended range of in-house procedures and treatments. You may already be employing these strategies in your own practice.
With extra dentists and specialists in the practice, it’s important to ensure you have the right mix of staff and experience in your support team.
While healthcare staffing agencies can help to provide ancillary staff, you don’t often get to control who will be working your shifts. Using an app like ANCI to manage your own temporary workforce lets you liaise directly with candidates, read employer reviews from other dental practices, and allows you to quickly place the right person at your practice. You can even contact them again next time there is a shift available, so that they can build a relationship with you and your patients over time.
The more flexible you can be in your staffing, the more flexible you can be to meet patient demand and expectations. What’s stopping you embracing flexible staffing and new recruitment technology in your practice in 2018?
The Internet Will Be (Even) More Crucial to Your Marketing Strategy
Most practices have at least a basic web presence but that isn’t always enough. Patients are increasingly turning to Google and online review sites, to make decisions about their treatment providers, and with web browsing now increasingly being done on mobile and tablet devices rather than desktops and laptops, you have to make sure your web presence cuts the mustard in todays’ online landscape.
So not only is it important that your website is up to date with content and mobile responsive so it displays and functions well on all mobile devices, but that it is optimised to help people find your practice when they’re searching Google for dental care in your area.
Make sure that you have claimed and updated your Google Business Listing plus any other online directories where your practice may be listed. While AHPRA prohibits you using testimonials in your own promotions, people can – and do – leave reviews on Google and other websites about healthcare and it’s important that your practice has a strategy for responding to them.
Even if your practice is lucky enough to predominantly grow from word of mouth referrals, don’t forget that people who are recommended a service by friends or family will still usually research the provider online before making their final decision to book an appointment.
Think your website is lagging behind? Make it a priority in 2018 and start getting your online presence working for you today.
Patients Will Expect Corporate Social Responsibility
Patients need to be able to trust their healthcare providers. While a lot of that trust is built during treatment, it’s important to connect with potential patients on an emotional level too.
Whether it’s trying to be environmentally friendly in the practice, partnering with local schools or community groups, sponsorships or other kinds of charity and social goodwill initiatives, many practices are already doing good things.
If you’re not, there are also some easy to implement initiatives like TerraCycle’s partnership with Colgate to recycle oral care products – and something like this is a great way to make sure your patients are updating their toothbrushes regularly too!
You need to make sure that you share any initiatives that you’re involved in both online via social media and your website, but also in the practice through signage and other literature.
So make 2018 the year of community involvement, doing it, sharing it and talking about it.
While dental technology and priorities will continue to change in years to come, one of the key things that remains the same is how important people – from those who provide care to those who receive it – are to any successful dental practice.
What other dental practice management trends do you foresee coming down the line? Please add your thoughts in the comments below.
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