sales Archives - The Wealthy Dentist

Dental Marketing Sales Promotions to Attract New Dental Patients (video)

June 12, 2012 By Jim Du Molin

Now that many health care plans no longer cover dental costs, The Wealthy Dentist conducted a survey that asked dentists if their dental practice has been running any sales or promotions.

35% of the dentists surveyed responded that they are currently running some type of dental promotion.

Dental marketing, sales and promotions on dental treatments can bring more new dental patients into a dentist’s office.

But if a dentist runs the wrong promotion they might get overrun by the wrong type of dental patients.

25% off dental hygiene an be a good practice promotion.

An Illinois dentist remarked, “Discounting only works if you are trying to attract new patients.”

To hear more of what dentists had to say about promotions and what Jim DuMolin has to say about them, Click Play on the following video —

Dentists, are you currently running any dental marketing promotions?

What has worked for you in the past?

Filed Under: Dental Videos, The Wealthy Dentist Tagged With: Dental Marketing, dental practice marketing, dentist, dentistry, dentists, discounts, Internet dental marketing, marketing, promotions, sales, survey

Dental Marketing: Dentists Offer Discount Dental Work

February 24, 2009 By Jim Du Molin

You don’t need me to tell you that these are brutal economic times; I’m guessing you’ve already noticed that. Where I may be able to help you is in answering the next question: So what do we do now?

Here is my single most important bit of advice: Don’t overlook your dental practice marketing!

I know what you’re thinking. “Well, Jim’s a marketing guy, so of course he’s going to say that!”

But did you know that I wasn’t always a marketing guy? I started off as a dental management consultant, advising doctors on practice issues and cash management.

Over the years, I realized that a good marketing program is one of the most profitable things a dental practice can do. Five additional new patients a month will solve most every doctor’s cash flow problems. Ten additional new patients will put your teenager through a good college. So I became a dental marketing convert.

I’m as interested as you are to learn what marketing choices dentists are making in these difficult times. So I recently ran a survey asking doctors if their dental practices are running any sales, discounts or promotions.

I learned that one out of three dentists is currently running a sale or promotion on dental work. Dentists’ opinions on the subject tend to fall into one of three camps:

“We’re running promotions to try and get the new patients we so desperately need right now.”
“We always run discounts as part of our normal dental marketing.”
“Sales cheapen the value of dentistry in the patient’s eyes.”

I think it’s a great idea to run discounts as part of your regular dental marketing. You can promote your offers via email patient newsletters or direct mail marketing to reach the widest audience possible. If you’re really smart, you’ll script a video for your home page that includes an introductory offer.

As for “cheapening” dentistry in consumers’ eyes… it’s all about doing it properly. I don’t see any problems with offering a modest “token” discount for new patients. However, if you’re running colorful TV ads pushing $299.00 dental implants, that’s another thing entirely! It is essential to avoid any “used car salesman” connotations.

So, let’s get to what you really want! Which promotions are proving successful for dental practices?

Advertising dental sales

“One ad offers $100 off any dental service. Another ad is good for $50 off every $500 you spend,” said a Colorado dentist. “‘Free whitening for life’ is not bringing any returns as an ad, but it works well as an in-office patient referral system. Another offer that’s working is $1000 off on any Invisalign case, with up-front payment.”

Discounts for cash

“We routinely offer a 5% courtesy for payment up-front,” said a Texas dentist. “10% -20% off Lumineers, Zoom laser whitening, implants, etc. with payment at start of treatment,” said another general dentist. An Arizona dentist reported offering discounts of “15-20%, but only for those without insurance. It has made a difference with people getting the work done, as they feel they are getting some help with the economy.”

Bargains on new patient exams

New patient exams are one of the most frequently discounted dental procedures. “We routinely offer new patient discounts on comprehensive exams, cleanings, and tooth whitening,” said a Maine dentist. “In December, we offered a $39 prophy for new patients as a limited-time offer. Hate to do it, but whatever it takes to stay afloat in this economy!” A Virginia dentist shared, “A new patient exam with x-rays is $140 off – regularly $289, now $149.”

“We’re offering practice entry discounts just to make it easier for patients to come in the first time,” said a Washington dentist. “We offer free consultations on implant cases, then try to wow them.”

Tooth whitening promotions

“Whitening is now $50 off,” said a Missouri dentist, while a Tennessee dentist reported, “We’ve discounted Zoom whitening by $100.” A Utah dentist reported offering free teeth bleaching to members of their Care to Share patient referral program.

Anything else on sale?

“I’ve been offering 25-50% off surgical placement of dental implants. It has worked well!” raved a California dentist.

Get the point?

Offering discounts on dental work can be an effective way to attract new patients and reactivate existing ones.

Filed Under: Dental Editorials Tagged With: Dental Marketing, promotions, sales

Dentistry: 1 in 3 Dentists Is Offering Discounts

February 9, 2009 By Jim Du Molin

Dental sales One out of three dentists is currently running a sale or promotion, found our most recent survey.

Many feel they have no choice in the current economy, while other are concerned that offering discounts may cheapen the perceived value of dentistry.

Of course, many dentists already offer regular discounts as part of their normal dental marketing strategies. Others are adopting the practice as finances get tighter and patients become less eager to spend.

Here are some thoughts on dental discounts from dentists:

“25-50% off dental implant surgical placement. It has worked well!” (California dentist)
“We are offering new patient exams, x-rays, and cleaning for $49.” (Utah dentist)
“One ad that’s working is $1000 off on any Invisalign case, with up-front payment.” (Colorado dentist)
“Discounting only works if you are trying to attract new patients.” (Illinois pediatric dentist)
“What we offer on a routine basis is a 5% courtesy for payment up-front.” (Texas dentist)
“We’re offering practice entry discounts just to make it easier for patients to come in the first time. We offer free consultations on implant cases, then try to wow them.” (Washington dentist)
“For higher-end practices, you have to be careful so promos don’t come off cheesy.” (Pennsylvania dentist)
“I just raised my fees. Things are never as bad as they seem or as good as we’d like. Panic is the worst management philosophy possible.” (Ohio orthodontist)

Filed Under: Dental Surveys, Practice Management Tagged With: discounts, sales

Discounts in Health Care Change the Dental Economy

January 28, 2009 By Jim Du Molin

The health care market is changing. Here’s an example of just how different things are these days… Kiplinger reports that orthodontic work is going on sale.

In this tight economy, some dentists are offering sales and discounts. I just read this in the Kiplinger Letter:

img alt=”teeth whitening sale” src=”http://www.thewealthydentist.com/images/BlogImages/2009/teeth-whitening-sale.jpg” align=”right” hspace=”10″ /> One consolation in this economy: Some medical costs will be cheaper. Orthodontic work is on sale, with many dentists offering big discounts to make up for a 20% decline in business. Other discretionary medical services, and anything not covered by insurance, are also widely on sale to attract customers.

Cosmetic surgery is 10% to 25% cheaper. Sales, too, on LASIK eye surgery.

Along with lower prices, providers are offering easy credit and low interest. Many also offer package deals: A Botox shot along with a nose job, for example.

-The Kiplinger Letter: Forecasts for Management Decisionmaking, 1/2/09

I’ve been thinking a lot about what this means for dentistry. But before I share my opinions with you, I want to know what you think about all this… I’m wondering about this question: Are you offering promotional discounts for orthodontics or any other services?