In our work with dental practices over the years we identified three steps every practice can take to maximize results and the benefits of recall:
1. Pre-appoint 90% of your patients before they leave your practice.
Why?
- It's easier to move a scheduled patient than book an unscheduled patient.
- Prevents patients from getting lost in your practice management system.
- Patients will make more of an effort to keep an appointment they have than book an appointment they don't have.
How?
- Ask for a tentative commitment vs. hard commitment.
- Communicate with confidence – use the right language / scripts.
- Reassure patients - you can always move the appointment if necessary.
2. Confirm patients sooner - 90% before their appointment dates.
Why?
- Gives patients more time to keep or move their appointments.
- Gives you more time to confirm appointments and fill openings.
- Significantly reduces cancellations and no shows.
How?
- Start sooner – two weeks in advance.
- Use the right language – stress the importance of reserved appointments.
- Confirming sooner produces a 50% drop in cancellations.
3. Focus on scheduling 90% of your due patients before late and overdue patients.
Why?
- Focus on trying to keep up with everything all at once can be overwhelming.
- Due patients are the most responsive.
- Puts out the right message.
How?
- Schedule designated time to follow up due patients.
- Most practices can find 1 to 2 hours per week.
- Catch up on late patients when you can – over time results accumulate.
If you'd like to download the complete resource, click here and choose "3 Steps Every Practice Can Take".