Setting Up a Hygiene Recall Program

Implementing a hygiene reactivation system can be one of the most effective ways to generate more revenue for your practice. After all, these are patients who are already familiar with your practice, live in the area and need to have their teeth cleaned for good oral health. The only thing left is to remind them to visit for their bi-annual teeth cleaning. If you can do so effectively, your practice will be booked with more appointments and ones that can typically be handled by a dental hygienist, rather than the dentist.

Hygiene reactivation sounds incredibly sterile and is unlikely to elicit a positive response from patients. Letting them know that you are touching base for their continued care or preventative maintenance is far more appealing, but pick a title that works for your practice.

Pre-book and schedule patients

It is best if a Hygienist schedules the next preventative hygiene appointment from their hygiene chair. If this is impossible, then the next best thing is at the front desk. Be sure to complete your hand-off with “Mary Jo just completed her hygiene visit today and she is due back in June 2017.” They should use the actual month a patient is supposed to return and add X-rays and exams if needed.

Try a software program

There are various software programs that can make it easier to implement a hygiene reactivation system. By keeping track of patient data, how frequently they visit the practice and when their next appointment should be. These programs can send reminders to patients or to the staff so that calls can be made in appointments can be booked.

It can be difficult to manage appointments on a manual basis without professional software solutions. Software solutions can keep everything organized and running smoothly.

Use text messaging

One of the most convenient tools a dental practice has for booking appointments is text messaging. As long as patients agree to receive texts, a message can be sent out alerting them of an upcoming appointment, which makes it more likely they will attend. Text messages can also encourage patients who have large gaps of time between appointments.

Unlike a mailer that requires patience to pick up the phone and dial a number, texts can book appointments in a matter of seconds. This is useful for last-minute openings since a text can go out to patients saying, “Reply APPOINTMENT to book our 3 p.m. slot for a professional teeth cleaning today.” Professionals can also customize the message, allowing patients to take advantage of a last-minute booking.

A successful hygiene reactivation system needs to have one person responsible

A successful hygiene reactivation system needs to have one person responsible. This person’s tasks will be implementing the system and monitoring all results.

Get help and learn more

If you need help developing a reactivation program for your practice, schedule an appointment with one of our dental consultants.