DentaltownUK Winter 2017 - 47

that there is normally a very active business
prevention unit.
MG: "Business prevention unit"?
KR: Yes-the processes, environment,
lack of training and support that, when
combined, give a damaging first impression to
new patients. I am seeing a trend in dentistry,
just like outside dentistry, to move the phones
off the desk, and I think this helps.
It means that a new patient is likely to
be given a more professional first impression
and that the front-of-house team can focus
on the patients in front of them. I think it
won't be long before we look back at the days
of the huge reception desk and realise that
it was a barrier to communication. We are
likely to see a shift toward a more open design
that encourages interaction with patients.
We will also see that technology has
continued to enhance what patients feel
about their dentist, and the whole process
of recalls and making appointments often
needs looking at in more detail. It is always
worth looking at how effective a practice is

at keeping in the mind's eye of their patients
so that unbooked treatment plans don't get
lost or left undiscussed. It's sad, but too
often I hear stories about a patient who went
somewhere else for a service, not knowing
that their own dentist offered it.
MG: And what about the online presence?
KR: It is generally going to be necessary
to have some kind of website optimisation
nowadays. Make sure that you know what
your money is being spent on and that your
SEO provider is accountable to you for results.
Nobody can really guarantee 'Page 1,
Rank 1,' though-it's so competitive out
there-but it is realistic to expect consistent
results and search placings for key terms that
you have both identified are appropriate to
your market and new patients.
Writing a regular blog is a great way of
supporting your SEO activities ,and we have
been seeing some amazing results by writing
about real patients with real photographs.
(Non-clinical, and no gum retractors, please!)
A well-written blog can then be linked to your

other social media channels, so that overall
you present some key messages.
I think a balance amid education,
professionalism and promotion can be
achieved with some planning and thought.
This ideally should be planned about three
months ahead. Boosting your social media
presence is a relatively low-cost but highly
effective way of attracting new patients and
educating existing ones.
MG: Finally, what one piece of advice do
you have for anybody who can't take part in
the programme?
KR: Be clear about what you are trying
to achieve and what is the real purpose of
your dental practice. Think about what your
patients want and what they will value...
building trust is a great place to start. Then
regularly take time out as a team to make
sure that you all operating in a way that is
consistent with this.
Celebrate when you get it right, discuss
how decisions have been made and learn
from any mistakes. ■

From your
patients
your
From From
your
From
your
From
your
perspective
patients
patients

"

In the end, the only perspective that
really matters is that of your patients.

That understanding alone
will end,
help you
improve
In the
the
onlyeverything.
perspective that

"

" "

"

"

patients
From
your
patients
From
your
perspective
perspective
perspective
"
perspective
patients
patients
"
In
the
end,
the
only perspective that
perspective
perspective
really matters
that
of only
your perspective
patients.
In theisend,
the
that

In the end, the only perspective that
- Simon
Thackeray,
really matters is that of
your
patients.
Thackeray Dental Care
really matters is that of your patients.
That understanding alone will help you improve everything.

"
"

That understanding alone will help you improve everything.

- Simon Thackeray,
Thackeray Dental Care

In partnership with - Simon
established
Thackeray, leadership and business
Thackeray Dental Care
developer Rose & Co. we
are offering you the rare opportunity
That understanding
alone
will
helpinyou
improve
to look at your
dentalIn
practice
a new
byeverything.
experiencing
partnership
with way,
established
leadershipit and business
as your patients do. developer Rose & Co. we are offering you the rare opportunity
- Simon
Thackeray,
That understanding
alone
will
helpinyou
improve
everything.
look at your
dental
practice
a new
way, byDental
experiencing
it
In partnership with established leadership
and tobusiness
Thackeray
Care
as
yourto
patients
do. up to seven essential
We will
withopportunity
you
explore
developer Rose & Co. we are offering
youwork
the rare
- Simon Thackeray,
and
provide you
to look at your dental practice inperspectives
a new way, by
experiencing
it with useful and constructive
Thackeray Dental Care
In partnership with established
leadership
business
developer
Rose
& Co.
willthat
work
with
you you,
to
explore
up to seven essential
feedback,
as welland
asWe
ideas
will
benefit
your
business,
as your patients do.
perspectives
and provide
you with useful and constructive
are offering you
the rare
opportunity
to look
at your dental
practice
Thatwe
understanding
alone
willyour
helpteam
youand
improve
everything.
your
patients.
as
well
as ideas that
will benefit
you, your business,
understanding
aloneit will
help
youfeedback,
improve
everything.
In experiencing
partnership
with
leadership
and
business
inThat
a will
new
way, with
by
as
your
patients
do.
We
work
you to explore
up
to established
sevenyour
essential
team- Simon
and your
patients.
Thackeray,
developer
Rose
&
Co.
we
are
offering
you
the
rare
opportunity
perspectives
and
provide
you
with
useful
and
constructive
We will work with you to explore up to seven essential perspectives
provide you with
- Simon
Thackeray,
Thackeray Dental
Care and
In benefit
partnership
with
established
leadership
feedback, as welltoaslook
ideasat
that
will
you,
your business,
your
dental
practice
inthat
a new
way, by
experiencing
itand business
Where
&
When:
Thackeray
Dental
Care
useful
and
constructive
feedback,
as
well
as
ideas
will
benefi
t
you,
your
business,
your team and your
developer
RoseWhere
& Co. we
are offering you the rare opportunity
& When:
as patients.
your patients
do.

""

really matters is that of your patients.
In the
end,end,
the only
perspective
that that
In the
the only
perspective
really
matters
is that
of your
patients.
really
matters
is that
of your
patients.

""

your team and your patients.
time:

7pm - 9pm
to look
at your dental practice in
date: 21st March 2018 time: 7pm - 9pm
date:
21st March
2018
as
your
patients
do.
We
will
work
with
you
explore
up to
with
established
leadership
and
business
Place: A-dec
Eghamto
Showroom
& When:

a new way, by experiencing it
seven
essential
In partnership
Where
Place: A-dec Egham Showroom
In partnership
withareestablished
leadership
perspectives
and provide
you
with and
usefulbusiness
and constructive
developer
Rose & Co.
we
offering
you the
rare
opportunity
7pm - 9pm
time: 7pm - 9pm
time:
7pmyou
-benefit
9pm to
We
will
work
with
explore
to seven essential
developer
Rose
& Co. we
are
offering
you
the
rare
opportunity
feedback,
as
well
as way,
ideas
that
will
you, yourup
business,
to look
at your dental
practice
intime:
a new
by
experiencing
it
date: 22 March 2018 date: 22 March 2018
date: 21 March 2018
your
team
and
your
patients.
perspectives
and
provide
you
with
useful
and constructive
toPlace:
look
at your
in aNuneaton
new Place:
way,
by experiencing it
as your
patients
do.
Place: A-dec
Showroom
A-dec
Egham dental
Showroom practice
A-dec Nuneaton Showroom
feedback, as well as ideas that will benefit you, your business,
as your patients do.
7pm - 9pm
your team
your patients.
We willtime:
work
with you to explore
up and
to seven
essential
date: 22 March 2018
perspectives
and
provide
you
with
useful
and
constructive
We
will
work
with
you
to
explore
up
to
seven essential
Where
Place: A-dec Nuneaton
Showroom & When:
dentaltownuk.com \\ WINTER 2017 47
feedback,
as
well
as
ideas
that
will
benefit
you,
your
business,
perspectives and provide you with useful and constructive
time:
7pm
- 9pmthat will benefit you, your business,
your team
and your
patients.
feedback,
as well
as
ideas
Where & When:
nd

st

nd

date: 21st March 2018

nd
https://roseand.co/adec/ http://www.dentaltownuk.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DentaltownUK Winter 2017
