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    The top five dentistry faux pas that make your practice look outdated

    Aug. 31, 2010
    When it comes to attracting new patients, retaining old ones, and reconnecting with those you’ve lost touch with, an outdated image could be hindering your efforts. Here are the top five mistakes you may not realize you’re making.
    Contributed by CariFree and Smile Reminder
    Pennwell web 400 300
    When it comes to attracting new patients, retaining old ones, and reconnecting with those you’ve lost touch with, an outdated image could be hindering your efforts. Stay current and read on about the top five mistakes you may not realize you’re making.
    Pennwell web 240 400

    1. You’re still calling your patients to remind them about appointments.In the digital age, it is crucial to offer text and e-mail reminders to your patients. Not only will your patients appreciate the service, but it’s a savvy practice management move that will save you the labor cost of paying someone to make those tedious phone calls. Smile Reminder offers a great service that allows a variety of customizable messaging options that are proven to reduce missed appointments and increase office efficiency.2. You’re not incorporating preventive dentistry into your day-to-day operations.An up-to-date practice uses the “drill and fill” method only as a last resort, instead putting the primary focus on proactive ways to treat caries before cavities form. Preventive dentistry is the wave of the future as patients today prefer minimally invasive methods in all realms of health care. Drilling is painful, noisy, and often unnecessary when caries can be treated by balancing pH levels in the mouth. Oral BioTech’s line of CariFree products use the CAMBRA system and offer the ability to assess risk factors for decay as well as utilize chairside technology to diagnose caries infection in real time.3. Your office features a variety of outdated décor.Take a good look around your waiting room. You probably walk in every day without a second glance, but this is the first impression patients get when they enter your practice. Ensure your reception area and office are decorated in a way that suggests your practice is completely up-to-date. Modernizing the look of your practice can be as simple as updating the art on the walls or adding a splash of color with a fresh shade of paint. A bold, yet basic, accent color is an easy way to get an instant update.4. You haven’t made the switch to digital X-rays.Performed in a similar manner to conventional X-rays, digital X-rays expose patients to 80% less radiation than conventional X-rays, can be viewed immediately without needing to develop film, and are easily shared via a computer.5. You have yet to “green” your practice.Finding ways to conserve and protect the environment is an important task for any business. This means reducing waste, using environmentally friendly products when possible, and utilizing minimally invasive procedures that eliminate the need for added needles and medications. Minimizing paper waste is a significant measure in conserving resources, and arguably the easiest place to start. Enlisting e-services, like text and e-mail reminders, is a great way to start conserving today.