Before & After Similar Situations: Create a library of dental conditions with your own Before and After pictures on your patients.
Show the patient the image of their own dental problem. Then bring up a similar situation Before and After image so that the patient can see what is possible. Using a published book of Before and After photographs to educate a patient is useful, but leaves the patient with the question “but can this dentist do that quality of work for me?” Using you own images will certainly give the patient a more comfortable feel for the quality of care that is delivered by your dental team.
Professional Referral: When referring a patient to another dental practice for treatment why not send photographic images as well as the referral letter and x-rays. Sending a portrait picture of the patient as well as a picture of the problem area can not only be impressive to the doctor who receives the referral packet, but it also instills confidence in the referral process with the patient. Remember, a stronger dental referral means a much stronger likelihood that the patient will make the appointment and complete treatment in a timely manner.
This will also impress your colleague leading to a stronger professional relationship. Now all of this can now be done electronically rather than through snail mail.
Insurance Documentation: The dental insurance industry is quickly entering the electronic world. The ability to send insurance claim forms and needed attachments electronically has greatly decreased lag time in payment and the number of lost claims. Insurance checks are arriving in the dental offices 2 weeks after submission. Less time is spent by staff members resubmitting claims and chasing down late insurance payments. The electronic world allows us to track an insurance claim with references numbers, proving that the insurance carrier has received the claim. This leaves more time during the day for the administrative team to communicate with patients concerning needed treatment rather than pushing paper.
