Asking Your Dental Patients For Referrals

Many dentists find it a challenge to tactfully ask their patients for referrals without feeling uncomfortable or pushy. There are many ways you can alleviate the anxiety that sometimes happens when asking for referrals. The trick is in knowing how to ask!

How To Ask For Referrals

The first thing to do is take a walkthrough of your dental practice from the point of view of your patients. If you’ve ever been someplace that provided you with great service and a good experience, you’d be happy to recommend this place to your family and friends. Your patients are the same way! If you aim to provide each patient with the best dental experience you can provide, they’ll be happy to refer you to their friends and family.

Next, try to provide an opportunity for your patients to compliment your practice or staff. When they tell you that your staff is helpful or friendly, your office is clean and accommodating, or that their procedure was painless, take this opportunity to pass along the good word. Make sure you have business cards available in each provide to patients who have complimented your practice.

Lastly, we recommend providing your patients with a take-home bag if you aren’t already. These bags can include refrigerator magnets with your contact information, a new toothbrush, or travel sized containers of toothpaste or floss. Pediatric dentists may even provide a small toy. But no matter what you choose to put in your take-home bag, make sure to slip in a business card or two, and ask your patients to share your info with their family and friends.

The most effective marketing tool for your practice is word-of-mouth. Make sure you’re reminding your patients that you’re always accepting new patients, and would love to treat the whole family.

For more tips on how to bring in more patients, or for your dental bookkeeping needs, please contact Dental Bookkeeping today!

Archives