Having a complete list of every dentist and physician who could make patient referrals is essential if you want to grow your dental specialty practice.

We are often asked why marketing for a dental specialist is different from the marketing activities of a general dentist. The key difference is the way patients determine which endodontist, oral surgeon or other dental specialist to choose.

We recently heard from a very upset oral surgeon who apparently had a well-established practice. For a number of years he was the only oral surgeon in town and received almost all of the oral surgery referrals from the other dentists in town.

Sometimes dental specialists see generating referrals as a passive activity, as something that just happens. The reality is that the dental specialists who benefit most from referrals have worked very hard to obtain them.

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.

How well do you know your referral sources? These simple tips will help you build your relationship with referring dentists and healthcare professionals so that when the time comes for them to refer out a case; you will be the first dental specialist they think of.

Everyone likes to be recognized and your referring dentists and physicians are no exception. Reaching out to them and/or their family will earn you high marks and improve your relationship. Here are four easy ways to recognize your referring healthcare providers:

As a prominent dentist practicing in the midst of a high-tech era, you have probably observed the way constant communication has become a pervasive part of our culture. Today, people have trouble hanging up their cell phones when checking out at grocery stores and leave the room several times in the middle of meetings to view messages sent to their BlackBerry devices. But with whom are they communicating? They could be communicating with you.