Many times, marketing efforts are focused solely on attracting new patients to a dental practice, often at the expense of nurturing existing patients. In fact, those existing patients are perhaps your most valuable asset: Unlike potential patients, who must be carefully wooed and courted, existing patients already trust you and value your service.

In these challenging economic times, dental practitioners have to work smarter, not harder, to weather the storm. But the good news is that with a number of simple strategies, you can market your business and bolster the success of your practice in the face of the current downturn. According to Jeff Francis, marketing director at Practice Café, dental practitioners can follow a few essential practices that will serve you well.

Put yourself in the shoes of a potential new dental patient calling your office for the first time. You may be in pain, nervous or just plain old shy. Nothing would be more reassuring to you than speaking to someone that is calm, concerned and patient. So how do you make sure that this is how the phones are being answered at your dental practice?

Your waiting room is the first impression dental patients get of your practice. These tips can help you make sure that your waiting room reflects the professionalism of your dental practice.

As any dental practitioner can tell you, educating your patients is essential in order to help them sort out often complex and confusing treatment options. A waiting room video comprised of specific and pointed content is one very effective way to not only provide that education, but also to bolster confidence in your practice and potentially expand the scope of services that you provide to your patients. Indeed, a professionally presented waiting room video can lend credibility to your practice, increase your profits, and help keep you competitive in the

In 22 years as the owner of Scott McDonald & Associates, McDonald has seen firsthand which dental marketing techniques work best in a slow economy. His advice: develop an intimate understanding of your patient population, and target them with specific solutions geared to their demographics.

Internal marketing for your dental practice is what you and your staff do after a patient calls you – in order to make certain that the patient remains with your practice and is a source of new dental patients.

Scott McDonald has spent nearly a quarter century serving the marketing and publicity needs of dental professionals across the country. During that time, he and his associates have gathered a lot knowledge – as well as a few tricks and trusims about what makes a really compelling dental marketing campaign.

No dental practice should be without a new patient orientation kit. They are easy to assemble, inexpensive to use and most importantly, make new dental patients feel comfortable with your practice by letting them know what to expect.