5 Simple Ways to Continue to Receive Dental Referrals

Just because another dentist has referred patients to you once does not guarantee that the dentist will continue to make referrals. Getting the initial referral is half the battle. The other half is maintaining good relationships with referring dentists and other healthcare providers so that you do not get lost in the shuffle. Here are five friendly ways to maintain existing dentalreferrals.

1. Enhance the referring dentist’s image. The biggest faux pas you can make is insulting another dentist or healthcare provider. Whenever you can, try to compliment the referring dentist to the patient. If a patient lets you know that they had a satisfactory experience during their visit with you, tell the patient to let the referring dentist know. Remember, if the experience was a negative one, it reflects poorly on you and the referring dentist.

2. Invite the referring dentist to one of your seminars.  This is also a great way to further educate the referring dentist in your field of practice and in any advancements that have been made.

3. Always remember the referring dentist’s staff. Almost as important as the dentists themselves, the staff is often the link between you and the referring dentist. If you need to call the referring dentist’s office, be cooperative and pleasant. Try to remember the names of the office staff for a more personal touch. The referring dentist will appreciate the courtesy.

4. Make sure you are easily accessible. A great way to ensure that you and your staff are easy to contact is to provide a brightly colored Rolodex card. On the card, print your name, telephone and private numbers, office hours, answering service number and the names of important office staff members in case they are requested by the referring dentist. Not only will this card stand out from the rest, it will immediately provide the referring dentist and his or her staff with the information they need.

5. Use a newsletter to update other dentists on the latest research in your field. Not only is this informative, it is a great way to keep your name in front of the referring dentist on a regular basis. These days, you can have newsletters customized with your name and practice information. It’s an easy tool for making sure that your referring dentists, and future referring dentists, always remember you.

As you can see, simplicity is the key. You do not have to inundate your referring dentist with tremendous words of praise or expensive gifts. As long as you are considerate, courteous and cooperative, your referring dentists will continue to consider you as part of their network of specialists.