Through consulting with clients and monitoring industry thought leaders, we have compiled a list of 13 trends we’re predicting in 2020. It’s no secret that the dental industry is going through a technological revolution that is contributing to higher quality patient care, and in turn creating higher expectations for dental providers. To compete today, it’s crucial to have the right technology in place to provide the level of care a modern patient has come to expect.

An obvious statement, yes, but many dental offices struggle with this most fundamental question: how to get more dental patients?

Here are a few ideas that may prove helpful to those offices looking to increase their patient flow.

What are the Latest Trends in Dentistry?

The advent of digital marketing and the way consumers engage online and process information has created both opportunities and threats for a practice owner. The choice is clear: make sure you’re keeping up, or get left behind. By staying ahead of these trends—or at least keeping pace with them—you can feel confident in making 2020 a great year for your business.

1. No, it’s not raining – but there is a cloud.

Cloud-based practice management software isn’t going away. It’s contributing to a more flexible work-life balance for employees, provides better security for confidential patient information, and allows for providing advanced reporting that large DSOs use to centralize, standardize and grow.

2. Everyone’s browsing on the go, aren’t you?

Is your website mobile friendly? When was the last time you updated it? Your website is like your calling card. It’s where people go to find your contact information, learn more about you and the services you offer, and determine if you’re the right provider for them. If it’s been a while since you updated your website, it may be time to do so—most experts most say you should be updating your website every 2-3 years, to avoid losing new patients to competitors with a more catchy or user-friendly online presence you could be turning away new patients.

3. Being active on social media is key.

70% of consumers expect a business to have a social media presence, and the average social media consumer spends 2 hours per day browsing on their favorite platforms. Which begs the question: are you also spending time on those platforms?

Social media is a great channel to build up credibility through generating reviews, sharing office news, and making your practice seem more welcoming with regular team updates.

4. Chat with patients on your website.

Ever heard of a chatbot? Chatbots are designed to help you communicate with patients who ask common questions about the services you offer, financing options, how to pay a bill, and more.

A bot is an automated, online customer service agent that you can pre-program with helpful information that your existing—and prospective—patients might ask online. It also allows you to capture valuable information like an email address and a phone…

Resource