11 Ways to Be More Memorable with Referring Dentists and Physicians

The key to getting more referrals from other dentists and physicians is to be more memorable. If they don’t remember you, they are not going to make referrals to your dental practice.

Here are a few ways you can make it easier for other dentists and physicians to remember you:

1. Be outgoing. When you meet other dentists and physicians at professional meetings or socially, introduce yourself. Develop a habit of being the first to say hello.
2. When you meet someone, establish eye contact and smile.
3. Be interested in what is going on in the practices of other health care professionals. Ask open-ended questions about the latest research or procedures. 
4. Don’t interrupt. Listen. The better you understand another health care practitioner’s concerns and challenges, the better you can relate to that individual.
5. When you do speak, get to the point. Be concise. Be prepared to tell others about your dental practice in a few short sentences.
6. When you speak about your dental practice, especially how you handle referred patients, do not over promise. It is far better to under promise and over deliver than come up short.
7. When dealing with referring dentists and physicians, be enthusiastic and upbeat. It not only makes you more memorable, but it also makes you more likable. Upbeat individuals tend to attract others. In contrast, no one wants to be around negative people.
8. Compliment referring dentists and physicians. Be sincere, but remember that all people appreciate being appreciated. When you receive a patient referral, there is often an opportunity to acknowledge that a good diagnosis was made.
9. Make a real effort to remember names. People love to hear the sound of their own name.
10. Exhibit positive body language by leaning forward while maintaining a proper distance.
11. Once you have met a potential referring dentist or physician, don’t let him or her forget you.  Keep in regular contact. The easiest way to do this on a systematic basis is by sending them a copy of your newsletter.