We all choose to work in a Dental Office because we love to help people.

One of the best ways to help our Patients is to help them make the best decisions.

Our Patients make the best decisions when we

• Give a thorough and correct diagnosis

• Discuss and inform what will happen if no treatment is chosen

• Answer Patient Questions

• Offer the Patient Treatment Options with a time frame

The frustrating part of helping our Patients in our Dental Office is that even though we know what is best for them, they really do need to come to their own decisions.

Most of the time the patient arrives at the Dental Office for the first time feeling overwhelmed by the decisions they will need to make, which treatment, how much to invest, how much time. They are screaming out for help but they still want to be in control and make their own decisions.

The biggest mistake we make is offering the patient too many options to choose from.

Our Patient becomes confused and rather than making a decision they go away to think about it. We all know this eventually leads to NOT making a decision and NOT going ahead with any treatment.

It is important to build a rapport, help our patients feel comfortable and to have confidence and trust in us. This process begins when they first call the Dental Office and it continues when they first walk in the door even before they meet the Dentist.

How can we offer our patients the treatment that is best for them while the Patient is in control and making decisions?

The easiest and best way to offer treatment to the patient is to make their decision making process:

• Simple

• Easy to understand

• Important

• Urgent

You then present the TWO options for treatment so the best option is the one the patient chooses.

Our Patients are screaming out for some direction and guidance as to what will be best for them but all along the way they are still wanting to make their own decision.

A lot of our Patients’ decisions are made on the phone. Setting yourself apart over the phone will often give the caller the contrast between your Dental Office and the other Dental Offices they may have called earlier. By being better, noticeably better, on the phone, you are helping them to make one of their first decisions; to choose *your* Dental Office.

You do have a duty of care to help your patients make the right decision. They really do want your help but they don’t want to feel like the decision-making is being taken away from them.

Take away your Patient’s ability to make a decision and watch them NOT go ahead with their treatment.

This blog will feature simple practical ideas that are easy to implement tomorrow in your Dental Office, impacting immediately on your Patients’ Dental  Phone Experiences, and ultimately, improving your practice profitability.

At present I have availability for three new private clients. For more information on how I can improve your Dental Office’s Phone Numbers contact me, Jayne Bandy at  jayne@theDPE.com