Patient Retention Targets and Considerations

Patient Retention and Scheduling

Question: What are some strategies for maintaining high retention rates?

Answer: Regularly remind patients of their appointments using automated systems and personal calls. Train staff to engage patients during checkout and emphasize the importance of follow-up visits for oral health.

Question: What is an ideal retention rate for a dental practice?

Answer: An ideal retention rate is 85% or higher, with top-performing practices aiming for closer to 90%. Retention is critical for maintaining patient flow, revenue stability, and practice growth.

Question: How can practices improve retention rates through scheduling?

Answer: No patient should leave without a future appointment. Practices can schedule tentative appointments for busy patients, emphasizing how quickly schedules fill up, and allow flexibility for rescheduling later if needed.

Question: What role does the checkout process play in retention?

Answer: The admin team should check in with patients during checkout to ensure their visit met expectations and address concerns. This process strengthens patient satisfaction and increases the likelihood of scheduling future appointments.

Question: How can practices manage patients who hesitate to book future appointments?

Answer: For patients hesitant to commit, offer tentative appointments and encourage them to confirm or reschedule once they check their availability. Stress the importance of securing a spot due to high demand.

Leveraging Technology for Retention

Question: What technologies can practices use to improve patient retention and reduce manual scheduling efforts?

Answer: Cloud-based patient management software with automated texting and email reminders is highly effective. Drip campaigns and reminders sent 30 days, two weeks, and a few days before appointments can significantly improve retention.

Question: When should personal calls supplement automated reminders?

Answer: Personal calls are beneficial for practices with high no-show rates or older patient populations who may respond better to direct contact. A call 1-2 days before the appointment reinforces commitment.