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4 Ways Dentists Hurt Patient Satisfaction And Don't Know It

4 Ways Dentists Hurt Patient Satisfaction And Don't Know It
by Kyle Johnson

Patient retention is a key component of a thriving dental practice, but many dentists are inadvertently turning away patients. If patients aren’t fully satisfied with their visits, there’s a strong chance they won’t return. In fact, 27% of health-care providers such as dentists have lost patients to other practices, according to the PatientPop 2018 Online Reputation Management Survey.

To create and maintain a healthy practice, dentists must understand what causes poor patient satisfaction levels. Here are five ways dentists unintentionally sabotage their own practices.

1. They’re visibly frustrated with technology.

Electronic health records (EHR) and electronic medical records (EMR) are designed to help dentists provide high-quality of care while streamlining the patient experience. However, all software platforms are not created equal. Frustration with an EHR system and problems incorporating new technology into patient care can lead to low levels of patient satisfaction, according to a May 2018 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. EHRs and other forms of technology are only effective when properly implemented. Dentists must choose user-friendly systems and take the necessary time to become proficient in them.

2. They don’t effectively communicate after appointments.

The time a dentist spends with a patient is only part of the patient’s overall experience. If communication is poor before and after appointments, people don’t feel like they’re a priority. Patient retention rates can be improved by sending automated confirmations and reminders prior to appointments. Promptly distributing patient satisfaction surveys after visits can further open the lines of communication by giving people a voice. Requesting feedback presents a valuable opportunity for dentists to learn what they’re doing well and what needs improvement. After all, the only way to know what patients want is to ask them.

Read full article on Dentistry iQ.