dental survey

Is Your Dental Website Easily Found on the Internet?

February 7, 2012 By Catherine Hughes Leave a Comment

Three out of ten dentists say that it’s not easy for patients to find their dental website on the Internet, this survey found.

On the other hand, 22% say it’s easy for new and current patients to find them online.

In addition, 48% of dentists say they’d like to improve their dental website search engine results placement.

All dentists want their dental website to show up at the top of the search list whenever someone searches for a dentist. A search-engine optimized dental website seeks to accomplish this goal. It involves a well-researched, geo-targeted keyword strategy for use in your dental website’s content.

The result is a more visible ranking for your dental website in the organic search results on search engines like Google, which brings more visitors to your dental website.

Here are some additional comments from dentists on their dental practice visibility online –

“It’s good, I get a lot of patients through the Internet. You can’t get complacent and must be on top of things, it’s ever-changing.” (California oral surgeon)

“I am never satisfied. It takes constant work. I am hopeful that I will get so busy so I can afford to delegate it. I do enjoy the game and play fairly well. If I was in a large market there is no way I could handle it.” (Missouri dentist)

“I’m looking at providers now because it seems more people are using the web as a means to get the things they want and need, including dentistry. Feel I need to give it a try.” (California dentist)

“We must update and change it to keep it current so we will be found.” (General dentist)

“There are only two of us in town so easy to find me!” (Texas dentist)

When local prospective dental patients search for dentists, you want them to find your dental website quickly and to understand what kind of dental treatments you offer. You want to stand out from your competition with a dental website listing that appears at the top of search engines.

Check out IDA’s New Patient Marketing Machine™ that targets the specific categories of high-value new patients you want to attract to your dental website. Each IDA website is targeted at one Primary Dental Market, and optionally for up to 3 Secondary Dental Markets to help your dental practice become easily found on the Internet.

Filed Under: Dental Surveys, The Wealthy Dentist Tagged With: dental marketing, dental practice marketing, dental survey, dental surveys, dentist, dentistry, dentists, Internet dental marketing, marketing, survey

How Dentists Feel About Dental Peer Reviews (video)

February 7, 2012 By Catherine Hughes Leave a Comment

When there is a conflict between dentist and patient, peer-review boards often mediate the dispute.

This means that a lot of the times dentists end up on the losing side of the peer review equation.

Said one dentist, “Review boards are not impartial and fair, just interested in giving money back to patients.”

One endodontist professed, “It’s far better that getting involved in the judicial system!”

These are just two of the comments dentists offered The Wealthy Dentist when surveyed about the dental peer-review process.

Click on Play to hear more from dentists on how they answered the survey question: Have you been disappointed by dental peer-review?

What are your thoughts on dental peer-reviews?

Filed Under: Dental Videos Tagged With: ADA, Dental Care, dental marketing, dental survey, dental surveys, dentist, dentistry, dentists, peer review, survey, video marketing

Dentists Prefer Facebook For Their Dental Marketing

January 31, 2012 By Jim Du Molin 2 Comments

Facebook has turned into a popular dental marketing tool for dentists to attract more dental patients.

9 out of 10 dentists use Facebook as their preferred place to network online.

While Facebook is facing criticism over their often-disputed privacy policies, most of the dentists using Facebook use it for both professional and personal networking.

“We are at the beginning stages of our Facebook dental marketing. We are using it as an informational, personable and promotional platform. We are giving our patients useful information, keeping them updated on what is new in our office, and giving away prizes for liking our page. We also give patients $5 off their services when they check in!“ responded one dentist.

The Wealthy Dentist decided to survey dentists to ask what sort of social networking they do online, and whether it was for personal or business purposes.

Dentists use the following social networking sites professionally -

Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
YouTube
Blog
Google Plus

And for personal use?

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Google Plus
LinkedIn and blogging were used the least

Here are some dentist comments:

“We have a business Facebook page which does well for us. I update it regularly and have a couple staff that like to write updates on the wall, too.” (Ohio prosthodontist)

“I haven’t yet figured out what to make of Twitter.” (General dentist)

“I still prefer word-of-mouth recommendations most of all.” (Arizona dentist)

“I really do not have the time or inclination to follow through with these media platforms.” (Massachusetts dentist)

With Facebook about to make a public of offering, which is estimated to bring in about 10 billion dollars, it is time for just about every dental practice that is serious about dental marketing to get on the Facebook bus!

Filed Under: Dental Marketing, Dental Surveys, The Wealthy Dentist Tagged With: dental blogs, dental marketing, dental survey, dental survey results, dental surveys, dentist, dentistry, Facebook, Google plus, Internet dental marketing, LinkedIn, social networking, survey, Twitter, YouTube

All Impacted Wisdom Teeth Can Be Removed By Dentists, Survey Reveals

January 13, 2012 By Catherine Hughes Leave a Comment

18% of dentists feel impacted wisdom teeth do not need to be removed, but if they do, 76% feel GPs are qualified to remove most impacted wisdom teeth.

One dentist stated, “All dentists are qualified to pull teeth.”

The Wealthy Dentist conducted a survey asking dentists if impacted wisdom teeth automatically be removed and if GPs should do the removal.

In this survey, here’s what dentist respondents revealed:

Impacted wisdom teeth should automatically be removed: 25% yes definitely, 57% usually but not always, and 18% no.

GP’s handing the removal: 76% feel they can handle most procedures, while 24% felt dentists are not qualified to remove impacted wisdom teeth.

Many dentists felt GP’s should be able to perform any dental procedure they are trained for and feel comfortable handling.

Here’s what else dentists had to say about removing impacted wisdom teeth –

“It depends upon the individual’s skill and comfort level as to if they should remove impacted teeth or any other surgical procedures for that matter.” (Illinois dentist)

“Each situation needs an individual ‘wait-and-see’ decision, Some look bad early and turn and erupt into place. Others turn for the worst and become impacted and need to be removed. Many are OK over time.” (Massachusetts orthodontist)

“All dentists know or should know their interests and experience. Extracting complicated teeth can be learned through incremental experience and continued education, just like any other complicated dental discipline. Learning does not stop with the presentation of a dental license.” (Canadian dentist)

“I generally only extract impactions as an act of mercy to those who cannot afford an oral surgeon. Anesthesia is the problem, not the removal.” (General dentist)

“Like most procedures, GPs can remove most impactions with proper training.. And like most procedures, experience, experience, experience is necessary to provide the patient with a safe, comfortable, predictable outcome.” (West Virgina dentist)

“Advanced training after dental school is usually needed to do advanced impaction removal with the least amount of trauma to the patient. Usually with IV sedation.” (Alaska dentist)

“Most general dentists do not have additional instruments needed should a complication or unexpected difficulty arises. Also, specifically with impacted teeth, unless the dentist has advanced his/her training beyond dental school and routinely does these procedures an a daily basis, they place their patient at increased risk for both complication and increased morbidity.” (Florida oral surgeon)

“It all depends on the general practitioner’s experience and comfort level of what he feels qualified to do.” (Arizona dentist)

“In our litigious society it is better to refer anything that can be done better by a specialist, including molar endocrinologist. It is not worth the trouble and the patient’s will love you for referring. You lose patients on whom you do extractions – spoken with 50 years experience.” (New York dentist)

“If third molars lack space to erupt into functional and maintainable positions they should be given STRONG consideration for removal! See the AAOMS White Paper regarding Third Molars – it is excellent evidence-based information.” (Pennsylvania oral surgeon)

“It takes extra training to remove most even slightly impacted wisdom teeth. GP’s are certainly qualified to get that extra training in order to remove them without complications.” (Texas dentist)

“In some cases I will consult the treating orthodontist to see if he/she feels there is enough room for the wisdom teeth to erupt without any damaging effect to the completed orthodontic case.” (Illinois dentist)

“Any GP should know his/her clinical boundaries whether it’s removing impacted wisdom teeth, correcting a bite, or any scope of dentistry. OS’s usually do the procedure quicker and at less trauma to the patient. They are more expensive though. If wisdom teeth are buried deep, fully erupted or not symptomatic in any way, they can stay in my honest opinion.” (New York dentist)

“The current practice of waiting for complete development and then surgically removing with a 6% chance of parasthesia and other morbidity is ludicrous. The early minimally invasive of the developing tooth prior to calcification can be done in 2 minutes with almost no risk. Between 8-11 years of age the (mandibular) bud is at the crest of the ridge and is very easily accessed prior to 2nd molar eruption. The tooth bud can be saved for the highest quality stem cells available that have been shown to be multi-potent.” (Illinois dentist)

(Louisiana dentist)

What are your thoughts on the removal of impacted wisdom teeth? Are dentists qualified to remove impacted wisdom teeth?

Filed Under: Dental Surveys Tagged With: dental survey, dental surveys, dentist, dentistry, dentists, impacted wisdom teeth, oral surgeon, oral surgery, survey, wisdom teeth

Dental Marketing and Management: Surveys Dentists Valued Most in 2011

January 3, 2012 By Jim Du Molin Leave a Comment

In a perfect dental practice, you’d know exactly what your dental patients were thinking and the best ways to market them.

Unfortunately, dental marketing doesn’t work this way, so you’ve got to use the right marketing resources to reach more dental patients.

The availability of The Wealthy Dentist survey responses means dentists and dental professionals have been able to network and share the best dental practice management strategies without having to contact other dentists on their own.

Our marketing team researches and surveys dentists from across the U.S. and Canada to gain feedback on what is happening to dentists in the industry and how best to address their dental marketing concerns.

In 2011 dentists, hygienists, periodontists, orthodontists, prosthodontists, and even an urgent-care dentist provided The Wealthy Dentist with honest survey feedback on a variety of subjects from handling negative online reviews to wisdom teeth removal fees. The knowledge shared has been invaluable to all, so we thought we’d share our top 5 dental marketing surveys from 2011.

Here are the top 5 surveys in order of popularity –

1. Placing Amalgam

In August, we asked dentists if their dental practice placed amalgams. 40% of the dentists who responded are still placing amalgam. Another 27% placed amalgam in only special circumstances, while 33% did not use amalgam at all.

One California dentist for the use of amalgam commented, “They last much longer, less sensitivity and there is no credible evidence they have killed anyone. Remember composites contain Bis-Phenol and I still place many more composites, GI’s, then amalgams. Because of their proven longevity, it is unethical to not offer amalgam to your dental patients.“

In contrast, a Florida dentist responded, “I haven’t placed them in 30 years. Any doctor who doesn’t know mercury is a poison should have his degree cancelled!”

2. Digital X-Rays

In September, we asked if dentists if their practice used digital x-rays. Dentists let us know that digital technology has absolutely reached the dentist’s office. 66% of the dentists surveyed now use digital X-rays, while only 34% reported that they still use film.

One Illinois dentist, who thinks digital X-ray was a great investment wrote, “Who in this day and age doesn’t (use digital X-ray)? It is SO inexpensive compared to what I paid over 10 years ago to do it, that it is a ‘no-brainer’ to do. PLUS the savings in chemicals, processor maintenance, employee time to do these non-essential weekly maintenance jobs, making duplicates for insurance etc. just makes going digital a “slam dunk” decision! This is why, once I purchased it, I realized these benefits and then lectured on going digital.”

One drawback of digital X-rays is the sensor expense, as shared by a California dentist, “The technology finally meets or exceeds the quality of film radiology — but with some drawbacks. The cost for the sensors and viewing equipment is very high, compared to the same film-based radiology. The bitewing views are not fully closed-mouth as bitewings done with films, because of the sensor cords. And the sensors have some limitations of placement freedom due to their rigidity and thickness compared to the relative patient comfort with films.”

3. Raising fees.

Another popular summer survey was when we asked dentists to tell us the last time they raised their fees. 56% had raised their fees within the last year, 26% raised them within the last two years, 11% in the last three years, and only 7% in the last 5 years. This survey revealed that suburban dentists were 3 times as likely to have raised their fees than their urban or rural counterparts.

An Illinois dentist shared his system for raising fees, “We raise our fees on a rolling schedule. We raise fees in certain areas (hygiene one quarter, crowns the next quarter etc.) every quarter. We base our fee increases on the prevailing fees in our zip code which we obtain through an annual fee survey which we purchase. While it may not be 100% accurate, it gives us a guide as to the fees in the area.”

While a Nevada dentist complained that raising fees were impossible when dealing with PPO insurance companies, “I haven’t raised fees for 3-4 years. I used to raise them every year. But raising fees is almost a moot point because the majority of my patients are on PPO insurances that are not raising fees at all, and in some cases, lowering reimbursements.”

4. Fluoridation of local water supplies.

In California, when the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors moved to increase the percentage of county residents receiving fluoridated tap water, the hotly debated subject of fluoride became front page news once again. We decided to ask dentists if they supported the fluoridation of public water supplies.

68% of dentists surveyed said that they supported the fluoridation of public water supplies, while 32% said fluoridating our drinking water was unnecessary.

A Michigan dentist offered his own data in support of fluoridation, “I practice in the county where Muskegon was the control city when Grand Rapids started fluoridating their water in 1945. 80-90% of my patients had fluoridated water when their teeth were developing. With probably 99% accuracy I know whether they had city water (with fluoride) or well water (no fluoride). The difference in decay rate is substantial.”

A Florida dentist (among others) felt fluoridation was medicating the masses, “We should not mass-medicate without the will of the masses! There are controversies that are appalling. The truth is in question about the benefits versus the risks. The opposition should be given an opportunity to present scientific data.”

5. Negative Online Reviews

Nothing strikes more fear to the heart of dentistry than a negative online review, and this year we’ve seen no shortage of stories on dentists who sued their patients for leaving a bad review on Yelp. In trying to help dentists navigate this new dental marketing tool, we asked dentists in March if they had experienced a negative online review.

64% of the dentists who responded to this survey said that they had experienced a negative online review, with 31% saying they received more than one. Only 36% had not (yet) experienced a negative online review.

A California dentist shared a complaint we often hear about negative online reviews, “A staff member was able to find out who posted the review and they weren’t a patient. It was just someone posting negative things about businesses randomly.“

The Wealthy Dentist was initially contacted by Yelp after this survey to offer some future articles about how dentists can better handle a negative online review, but after repeated attempts to follow up with Yelp to provide this for our dentists, Yelp has refused to respond.

So there you have our top 5 dental surveys for 2011. If you would like to participate in our weekly dental surveys, please sign up for The Wealthy Dentist newsletter in the right column of this website. The Wealthy Dentist never sells, rents or shares your personal information, including your e-mail address.

Do you have any dental marketing or management topics you’d like to suggest for future The Wealthy Dentist surveys?

Leave us a comment and let us know and have a prosperous New Year!