Three Steps to Strengthening Your Referral Relationships

Referrals are the mother’s milk of many dental specialty practices, especially endodontists and oral surgeons. New patient referrals don’t happen by accident. They require some planning and work.

Here are three simple steps that will work for your practice:

1. Arrange to meet personally with each of your referring dentists and physicians at least twice each year. This can be done over breakfast or lunch.
2. Be prepared to give a brief update on what is new in pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics or whatever your dental specialty may be. If you have added new professional staff or new treatment procedures, this is the time to talk about them. It is always helpful to have a “leave behind,” such as a copy of your newsletter or other summary of new developments in your field.
3. Spend at least half the meeting finding out what is happening in the referring health care provider’s practice. Not only will this go a long way to strengthen your personal relationship but it will help you better understand your referring dentist or physician’s practice and his or her concerns.