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The schedule runs the show at most dental practices. It affects just about everyone. If you have a busy schedule, the whole staff will be going at full speed to ensure everything gets done, and the patients aren\’92t waiting long. But what about when the schedule isn\’92t so full? No one wants to come to work and just twiddle his or her thumbs all day.
Remember these 5 tips to keep you schedule full!
What to Do When There\’92s a Cancellation?
Do you have a plan in place for when a patient calls to cancel an appointment? Most people just accept the cancellation and move on to trying to fill the slot. And that\’92s okay when they\’92re cancelling due to some kind of emergency. But what if you could save the appointment? This is another option that many people overlook. Next time try saving the appointment before you spend too much time trying to fill the new availability. Having a documented scripted system can be beneficial in situations like this and create consistency among team members.
Thinking Long-Term
You should always be looking ahead. Your schedule could be full this week or this month, but what about the upcoming months. It\’92s easy to think in the now, but you should always be thinking about the future. This will ensure that there are no unexpected lulls in the schedule.
Scheduling When the Patient Leaves the Office
This is a very common practice in most dental offices. But often-times patients will have excuses as to why they aren\’92t scheduling their appointment then. They might say they don\’92t have their calendar/schedule with them, or they need to check with their spouse or work. Take note of why they aren\’92t scheduling now, and follow up in about a week.
Let Them Know You Care
A lot of the time you are contacting patients because there are holes in the schedule. Depending on the language you use, a patient could pick up on that. Instead of trying to sell them on making an appointment, make it about them. Let them know you\’92re concerned about their oral health.
Use an Effective Recall System
A gap in the schedule means lost time and lost revenue. Having an effective dental recall system in place will help your practice to maintain a full schedule. And a full schedule means maximized revenues! Learn to realize the increased revenue of a reactivated patient database with these 3 simple steps.
Next time your schedule is looking a little bare, use these 5 tips to fill it up!
If you struggle with keeping appointments, we\’92ve got your 5-Point Checklist to a Full Schedule. Download your checklist here!
With your schedule full to the brim, it\’92s time to streamline your dental treatment planning. Avoid these 4 mistakes!
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