The Web-based Dentist
August 2015
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For:   

Sally McKenzie
Sally McKenzie, President, McKenzie Management
Power Thought: McKenzie Management
How to Ask Questions: The Crucial Crossroads of Patient Communication

As a full-service management consulting firm, we partner with our clients to deliver solutions that help solve their most complicated needs. Our services are designed specifically to help small businesses, and at a small business price. Utilizing decades of industry experience and functional expertise, Management Consulting goes beyond the norm to develop new insights, drive results, and help grow your business.

With so many demands on the busy dental team to stay on schedule, to get patients into the chair, through their appointment, and on their way, it's easy to understand why doctor and staff may be somewhat reluctant to spend any more time than what they believe is absolutely necessary on seemingly non-pressing issues, particularly those dealing with patient communications.

After all, most dental teams think they are thorough and that they tell patients everything they need to know. If the patient asks questions, the staff answers them without hesitation, so why belabor this point? Unfortunately, in the busyness of the typical day, employees don't communicate as well as they would like to think they do. Worse yet, they don't even realize there is a problem, which can cost practices dearly in patient retention.

The fact is that patients want more information than they are typically given. They also want information that they are reluctant to ask for. And here's the tricky part, it's up to you to make sure that patients get the information that you probably don't even know they want.

The good news: Your efforts will make a huge difference in patient opinion of the doctor and the practice as patients who have their questions answered are far more satisfied with their care and the dental staff than those who don't. And, in actuality, addressing this often- overlooked patient need is much easier than teams realize.

It may not be necessary at every visit, but make sure your patients know that you are always open to their questions. You want to know if they have even the slightest concern. It starts with your asking them a few simple questions, "How do you feel about this?" "How does this fit in your plans for your overall health?" "Do you have any more questions or concerns that you'd like to discuss?"

Ensure your patients know you have the time, the patience, and the knowledge to address all their questions and concerns, no matter how big or how small.
 
Why the Web? Reason #268
Mac vs PC: Choose One, Or the Other, Or Both and Be Happy

 

Once upon a time Apple advertising went head to head with PC's to attract new customers. You may recall the clever "I'm a Mac. And I'm a PC." commercials that highlighted the perceived advantages of the Mac OS over Windows. 


Not to be outdone, the PC world counterattacked with a small collection of their own advertisements. While just as fun as the Mac versions, the PC versions simply were not original and did not gain much of an audience. In fact, I intended to place a link to the videos but I was unable to find them on YouTube.


Today, Apple's advertising budget is stretched from computers to music devices to tablets and mobile phones. You won't see Apple advertising as in-your-face as it has in the past; perhaps Apple finds it more difficult to focus on just one market any longer. But, the Mac vs PC debate continues to rage on, spilling over into the mobile phone market.


When it comes to the cloud the Mac vs PC debate becomes moot. With cloud-based dental software, like Curve Dental, all you need is  a computer (Mac or PC) with Chrome and Internet access. The software operates just as wonderfully on one as it does on the other. We are what you might call operating system agnostic: We don't really care what you use.

 

With other software you may have to choose between Mac or PC. With Curve Dental you can choose one, or the other, or mix or match. There are some digital imaging capture limitations on the Mac side, which should be resolved in the near future. And the number of digital x-ray sensors with Mac drivers is also somewhat limited. Visit our website to learn more.


 You can learn more by chatting with one of our dental software consultants at 888-910-4376. Call today to learn more or visit our website.

 


 

Expert Opinion: Dr. Mark E. Hyman
Expert Opinion: Dr. Mark E. Hyman

Classic Dental Jokes

A guy leaves to visit with his grandmother and takes his roommate with him. While talking to his grandmother the roommate starts eating peanuts on the coffee table, finishing them off.

 

"Thanks for the peanuts," the roommate says as they leave.

 

"Oh, since I lost my dentures I can only suck the chocolate off them," she replies.

Fun Dental Facts 

74% of Americans are affected by some type of periodontal or gum disease or gingivitis.
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