43 Rules: Rule No. 5 -- Have 98% of patients scheduled at all times

Dec 21, 2016

In his recent book, 43 Rules to Increase Practice Production, Dr. Roger P. Levin shares recommendations for achieving greater practice success in the new, more challenging dental economy. The following is an excerpt.

Roger P. Levin, DDS, founder and CEO of practice management consulting firm Levin Group.

As mentioned in rule No. 4, dentists have to do more with what they already have. To make that happen, practices must create greater customer loyalty. Remember that it's much easier to keep a customer than attract a new one.

For dental practices, this thinking can be employed to retain patients -- specifically, offices need to reach the target of having 98% of patients scheduled at all times. Few practices ever accomplish this because they have a very loose approach to managing patients.

Practices need to adopt a philosophy where no patient leaves without an appointment.

While there will certainly be exceptions to this rule, it's possible to build a methodology where all patients are given the next appointment time before they leave. This means that all patients, including hygiene, are kept on the schedule. The Levin Group Data Center reports that this approach results in far better retention than waiting for patients to contact the office or sending out cards and emails reminding them that it's time for their next appointment.

43 Rules to Increase Practice Production by Dr. Roger P. Levin.

Roger P. Levin, DDS, is the chairman and CEO of practice management consulting firm Levin Group. For details about what Levin Group offers, visit the firm's website or speak with a dental practice specialist at 888-973-0000.

To learn all the new rules Dr. Levin has developed, based on more than 30 years of experience consulting with dental practices, download the digital version of 43 Rules to Increase Practice Production, available for just $59.00.

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