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As we begin a new year, many are wondering what 2010 has in store. Will there be an economic turnaround this year? Many economic experts have predicted this possibility. In order for you and your practice to be ready for this upturn, the following are practice management tips and resources to help you gain a competitive edge and have a positive impact on your production.
New! Resources for your practice
Tip #1: Reactivate inactive patients
From the recent economic downturn, most likely your inactive patient file is at it’s largest. In order to maximize production opportunities, make sure that 98% of all patients are scheduled. Many patients that have been inactive in the last nines months will be willing to schedule an appointment if they are actively contacted by your staff.
Read more about on this tip and others in Dr. Roger Levin’s article “Nine ways to ensure a better, faster recovery” on www.dentaleconomics.com.
Tip #2: Save time, see more patients, make more money
A few simple time management adjustments can really make a difference in your day and allow to to see more patients. One way to save time is make sure you start on time. Patients should never 'camp out' in a room. Make sure to arrive to the office even 15 minutes early every day to review last night's faxes, lab results, etc.
Another tip is to have patients fill out their own history forms in the waiting room. These patients typically can fill out a form just as well as you can. You can then clarify everything they filled out with them during their visit.
Read this and more tips on time management in the article "How to save time, see more patients, and make more money" by Dr. Daniel Konold on the ModernMedicine website.
Tip #3: Save green by going green
The Eco-Dentistry Association has relseased a report that includes recommendations on how to make your practice more eco-friendly, save up to $50,000 a year and receive a return on your investments. Examples of green alternatives you can use and save money include: reuseable instead of paper cups, digital billing, charting and x-rays and energy efficient light bulbs.
Visit the Eco-Dentistry Association website to read more money saving tips as well as other ideas you can use to make your practice more eco-friendly and live a greener life.
Tip #4: Go where there's growth
Thinking about opening a new practice? Factors to consider when choosing a location include competition, convenience and future potential. Also in order to set your practice apart from the competition, make your practice unique with a personal touch and good patient communication.
Tip #5: Take advantage of social media
Looking to cut back on marketing spending? Social media is a virtually free marketing tool that can be used to build awareness of your practice and network with both patients and dental professionals alike.
An example can be found in an article posted on the Cleveland Examiner.com. Dr. Wes Moore, a dentist practicing in Fort Smith, AR utilizes social media to create long-lasting relationships with this patients and the community. Recently, Dr. Moore used his Facebook Fan to promote the free dental work he had performed at the Community Dental Clinic. His Fan Page currently has around 200 fans. In addition to Facebook, Dr. Moore also uses search engine optimization for his company website and LinkedIn.
Read more of this story on the Cleveland Examiner.com to learn more on how using social media can increase exposure of your practice while decrease the use of your marketing dollars.
The ACP has developed a Social Media Toolkit as a resource for members. This toolkit is a brief overview of background information on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube; and how to get started.
Tip #6: Collaborate marketing efforts with other prosthodontists in your area.
Teaming up with other prosthodontists, dentists or other healthcare industry colleagues in your area may not only reduce the cost of marketing efforts but also allow you to make more of an impact on your community.
Read the testimonial from the ACP's New York Section to learn about their collaboration on a recent ad in New York magazine and also find out how you can get your section involved in the ACP's PR Cooperative.
Tip #7: Utilize search engine optimization to attract more website visitors - and new patients
Do you know where your website ranks on Google searches? If your site does not pop up too high on the list there are a few quick changes you can make that could help with your Google ranking.
Read Healthcare Success Strategies' five tips in their article Healthcare Search Engine Optimization - Making Friends with Spiders, Crawlers and Bots on their website now.
Tip # 8: A great team can drive productivity
What is the most important element of your practice? Is it technology? Location? Interior design? While the each one of these elements adds value to your overall practice, probably the most important is having an excellent team. A highly effective staff enables the practice to provide better patient care, lower stress and increase production. All prosthodontists and healthcare providers should look at their staff and evaluate each individual's commitment to the team and the practice in order to have optimum quality.
Tip #9: Become familiar with the Internet phenomenon that is social media
Is your practice on Facebook or Twitter yet? If not, you should be, but be sure to approach with care. Take a look at the following articles provided by Healthcare Success Strategies on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to learn more on how to use each as a marketing tool for your practice.
Twitter Tips: Social Media & Healthcare Marketing
Tip #10: Invest in staffing and technology to improve patient relations
Proper investment in staffing and technology related day-to-day operations can improve the impression your practice conveys and help insulate your business from economic downturns and other events beyond your control.
Read the full article on Medical Economics website to gain insight and tips on how to hire the staff you need for optimum customer service and other tools to use to convey stability to your patients.
Tip #11: Take advantage of free resources!
The ACP has developed a Social Media Toolkit as a resource for members. This toolkit is a brief overview of background information on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube; and how to get started. Download your toolkit today to learn more about how you and your practice can become a part of the phenomenon.
Tip #12: Combine your efforts with other prosthodontists and advertise on local TV
Want to increase the exposure of your practice and build awareness of the specialty? Consider working with others in your area to spread the word through marketing. Together with Healthcare Success Strategies, an ACP Affinity Program provider, the College developed a series of three TV Commercial Templates that members can customize when working on their local campaign. Visit the Marketing page in the Members Only area of the ACP website to download and view the Commercial Templates as well as learn more about the ACP Advertising Cooperative.
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