How many of the patients coming into your practice this week represent an opportunity to celebrate something?

If you don't know, you should. It takes very little research to find out, and it is one of the simplest ways to build a relationship and create a culture of celebration.

Most practices have a morning meeting where they preview the patients coming in that day. It's a great opportunity to identify care opportunities and to get aligned on treatment and value strategies.

But you shouldn't forget that it is also an opportunity to connect on a personal level. And it's not just birthdays. If you know that a patient is celebrating an anniversary (or if it's a milestone anniversary for your practice), or if they're starting a new job, have had an addition to the family, or even if you're finishing a great case with them, take the time to acknowledge the moment.

This may seem frivolous or unnecessary, but think about it from a patient's perspective. If you go into your dentist's office for a routine hygiene appointment and end up being celebrated by the team and given a token birthday gift, I don't think you can help but feel good about the practice and the people who work there. You are going to leave with a bright smile, and not just because of the hygiene care. And if you're a member of the team that gets to plan and deliver that surprise celebration, you can't help but feel good about what you're doing.

As you look through the files of incoming patients to review their clinical history and dental care possibilities, keep an eye out for personal milestones too. After all, life is too short to pass up an opportunity to celebrate.


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Comments

Commenter's Profile Image Mai-Ly Duong
April 9th, 2013
This is an awesome thing! I have been doing this for the past year and it really makes a huge difference. When a patient tells me about something special that will be happening, I'll write a quick note about it in my clinical note for that day - so the next time the patient comes in - I remember to ask the patient about that something special that occurred. Sometimes, I'll even ask patients to bring in pictures of that special event so they have something to look forward to when they see me. Who doesn't like to show off pictures of things that are special to them?!
Commenter's Profile Image Sandra Calleros
April 9th, 2013
At Imtiaz' YES seminar last year, he gave us the idea to use a small bell to use when there are small celebrations. Anyone who's available comes over to see what the "ding! ding!" is for. It makes it fun for us and the patients feel special. It could be for an engagement, a pregnancy, a new CEREC crown, a child's first visit, anything that a cause for a small celebration. We have at least 6 or 7 of the bells around the office.