Managing an orthodontic clinic involves more than just aligning teeth. It's mainly about ensuring the patients are satisfied and returning for their treatment. The more patients who come, the more the clinics expand. If they are pleased, then they will recommend the clinic to others.

However, the reality is that a huge number of clinics lose patients during the whole treatment process. Professional help is needed here. A dental clinic consultant is capable of identifying the existing problems in the clinic's operations and providing solutions before those problems blow up. So the outcome is a longer stay for the patients and their greater satisfaction upon leaving.

The Issues That Separate Patients from Dentists

Orthodontic offices mainly have the same problems to deal with. At first, these problems may look minor. But in the long run, they accumulate.

Communication breaks down easily.  Patients do not always grasp the situation of their treatment. They are left wondering about the whole situation, especially regarding the timeline and what comes next.

Scheduling turns out to be a major issue. Appointments are sometimes forgotten because the reminders were not sent out at the right time. Patients also miss out on the opportunity to schedule their next visit due to forgetfulness.

Financial discussions cause discomfort. Hospitals' bills come as a surprise and put families in a state of emergency. Payment plans are not adequately communicated from the beginning, and as a result, distrust is built.

Most dental clinics only respond to calls or complaints when a patient leaves. They lack measures to stop issues before they occur. However, given the right support, these behaviours can be altered.

Transforming the Patient Experience Around

Professional consulting opens up a practice’s internal operations for significant changes. It aims at creating good quality systems that function effectively each day.

Tracing Every Step of the Patient Journey

Consultants pay full attention to the patient experience. They monitor the process from the very first phone call to the last appointment. Where is the Communication Break? They locate the tension points and alleviate them.

Aligning the Team

Patients receive mixed messages when different staff members say different things. Training in the organization creates a united front. Everybody learns to converse in the same manner. The patients’ feeling of caring is increased.

Automating Follow-Ups

A patient’s missed appointment is a loss to both the patient and the practice. Clinically standardized systems ensure that every patient receives timely reminders.

Smart Use of Tech

Automation tools manage routine tasks. Reminders for appointments are sent out so that no one has to remember. Simple technology does away with a lot of manual work and errors caused by humans.

When such transformations take place simultaneously, the satisfaction scores rise. Patients appreciate being cared for and consequently continue with their treatment plans.

Loyalty is built through Simple Strategies

The dental practices receive clear and practical steps that they can start using immediately.

• First, consider the way the new patients are greeted. A reliable onboarding process sets the ground for what to expect early on. The patients are well informed at every stage of the process.
• Communication should not happen sporadically. Establish a routine communication program. Patients will receive updates at regular intervals.
• Be transparent about pricing from the start and clearly explain available payment options.
• Queuing is nobody's favourite. Improve the management of the appointment queues. Make the waiting time short. Little changes in this area can bring about a great impact.
• Staff meetings should be a platform for training moments. Ongoing check-ins ensure that everyone is on the same page. The staff is always ready.

All these strategies are interdependent. They help in building a smooth workflow. Patients do not forget how they were treated and become loyal patrons.

Tracking What Works

Numbers tell the story of success. The practices must measure how well they are doing.

Key metrics are of great importance. How many patients undergo the whole treatment? What is the rate of no-shows? What are patient responses in feedback surveys?

Quick feedback systems help practices stay agile and responsive to patient needs. After each appointment, send out short surveys. Inquire what was done well and what could be improved.

Numbers by themselves do not solve issues. This is the point where an orthodontic practice consultant steps in with their expertise.

Creating a Patient-Friendly Practice

If you prioritize holding on to and pleasing the customers, everything else will follow. Satisfied customers would be your most effective advertisement. They would undergo the whole treatment and then invite other patients.

Achieving this goal requires both commitment and expert guidance. The support of a dental clinic consultant in Edmonton, whose knowledge of local difficulties is good, will make the journey less arduous.

If you are determined to change the way your practice functions, Dr. Saleh Al-Daghreer may be the right person to consult. His long-time involvement in building up dental clinics has been a source of efficient and real-world applicable insights. He helps implement changes that benefit not only your staff but also your patients.