How to get patients to the dental office in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic

As dental teams prioritize new office protocols to ensure the safety and comfort of employees and patients in the COVID era, recent data shows that some patients are reluctant to return to the dentist as soon as possible.

According to a survey by the American Dental Association's Institute for Health Policy, 63% of open dental practices on June 15 reported a lower patient volume than normal. Patients' concerns about their health and coronavirus infection may play a role in their reluctance.

The following tips can help restore confidence and increase the comfort of your patients when they return to the dentist.

1. Let patients know about updated safety protocols.

Help patients feel more comfortable when they return by telling them what to expect when they arrive at their appointment. Use email, newsletters, and social media to inform existing and potentially new patients about additional cleaning and safety protocols that have been implemented to minimize the risk of exposure.

When communicating with patients, focus on messages that create trust, security, and convenience. Let patients know that office staff are up-to-date with the latest pandemic news and assure them that their office is able to adjust and change company protocols if necessary.

The CDA Back to Practice Resource Center provides marketing and communication tools , including email templates and appointment reminders.

2. Use your social media platforms

With the help of social media, dentists can further advance patient loyalty by providing information on daily practice. Use not only patients with new email security protocols, but also engaging photos and videos on social media to highlight that the office staff is ready for your return. Here are some specific ideas:

• Post short videos of cleaning logs before and after each appointment so that patients can see what steps are being taken to maintain a safe environment.
• Take a visit to show the patient what to expect on their next visit.
• Post testimonials from other patients.
• Post selfie videos with advice and action to show patients how much you understand and appreciate them.

Use CDA's social media templates to answer questions or concerns from patients before their next appointment.

3. Use the teledentery

Healthcare providers rely heavily on long-distance communications as an alternative to stay in touch with patients and provide care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine offers dentists the flexibility, diagnosis, advice and treatment without the risk of possible exposure.

Experts recommend offering a 10-minute teleconsultation with patients who are reluctant to consult. This will help alleviate fears and remind them how much they trust you as a dentist.

Read Teledentology: Another way to offer dental care for additional tips on virtual care.

4. Offer oral hygiene and health tips.

Remind patients that their health is always a priority. Use different communication channels to educate patients about the relationship between their oral health and general health and give advice on how to maintain a good cleaning schedule between appointments.

At this point, take the opportunity to remind reluctant patients how important regular dental care is and why they shouldn't let too much time pass before making their next appointment.

It is important to remain patient and understanding during this period of uncertainty. Focus on being a community leader and a trusted resource as dentist patients and teams adapt to care for and maintain in the COVID era.

For tips on communicating with reluctant team members, see Tips for reducing stress for employees who experience discomfort during the COVID-19 pandemic . Further resources for practice management can be found in the CDA Return to Practice Center .

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