Easily send SMS messages to the patients of your dental clinic
Today there are several common ways to reach customers. An SMS text notification is one of the best, fastest and most effective ways to get in touch, and it takes no time from your customers or your staff.
SMS text messages offer open and response rates of 98% and 45% respectively – far higher than the 20% and 6% for e-mail. In addition, 93% of end customers prefer SMS reminders to other channels such as phone calls and traditional letters.
SMS notifications work well in many industries and are especially effective in healthcare. In this article we explore the benefits SMS can bring to healthcare providers.
The benefits of SMS marketing for healthcare practitioners
Text messages are very convenient and effective for both patients and clinic staff. An SMS notification platform lets you quickly write messages and send them individually or in bulk. You can even schedule text messages for a certain time and see when they were delivered and opened. On top of that, you can automate a large part of your communication with patients, because the SMS and e-mail notification platform comes with automation.
Other benefits of adding SMS notifications to your workflow
SMS notifications reach everyone – anyone with a mobile phone can send or receive SMS text messages. Your customers do not need the latest smartphone to receive and read an SMS reminder.
No internet access needed – unlike some other mass communication channels, SMS relies only on a phone signal, not on the internet.
SMS notifications are affordable – text messages are usually cheaper than direct e-mails and phone calls (especially when you consider the time staff spend on phone calls).
A great way to reduce no-shows – a customer or patient who does not turn up is very costly and harmful for any business that serves customers on site. For the business to run well, working hours need to be filled by real visitors, and an SMS appointment reminder will help you reduce the risk of no-shows.
How to use SMS text messages in your dental practice
SMS text messages can help improve patient engagement and overall satisfaction. There are many uses for SMS in dental practices, the main ones being:
1. General announcements
Sometimes you need to send a general message to all patients to let them know about a situation that affects normal service (remember that from 2020 to 2022 we were all heavily affected by a global pandemic). For example, during the pandemic many dental practices had to announce that patients must wear masks at appointments and warn them that their temperature would be taken on arrival.
General announcements, such as changes due to unexpected outages (water or power cuts) or changes to opening hours or booking processes, can be shared quickly and easily with a bulk SMS service.
Examples:
Hello [Name], please note that we are closed for the Christmas holidays from [Date] to [Date] and will not be able to see patients.
Hello, due to an outage in the area our practice has no power. Please call [phone] to book a new appointment date.
2. Booking appointments
Booking appointments is an ongoing task in every dental clinic. Use SMS messages to help patients book a new appointment or schedule a follow-up visit.
Examples:
Hello [Name], our records show that you are due for a routine check-up with [Dentist’s name]. Please call us on [phone] to book a date.
Hello [Name], following your appointment with [Dentist’s name] today, please book your next visit to continue your [Treatment]. [URL]
3. Appointment reminders
As mentioned earlier, sending SMS appointment reminders helps reduce no-shows and makes sure your clinic is not left with too many missed slots to fill. With our platform you can automatically send appointment reminders by SMS and e-mail (which is much more convenient and takes less time than doing it by hand). Sending SMS reminders one or two days before the scheduled appointment works best.
You can also use SMS reminders to check whether the customer needs to change the appointment or to share other useful information.
Examples:
Hello, this is [Dental clinic name] reminding you of your appointment with us on [Date] at [Time]. Please call [phone] if you need to change it.
Hello [Name], your appointment at [Dental clinic name] is on [Date] at [Time]. Please note that we have to charge for last-minute cancellations. Read our policy: [URL]
4. Special offers and discounts
An SMS text message is a great way to announce the special deals your clinic offers, such as discounted treatment plans or teeth whitening. Or, if you bundle related services to increase uptake, you might want to offer scaling with a free routine check-up.
Examples:
Not happy with your smile? We offer a free consultation (worth $300) for orthodontic treatment. Book today [phone]
Hello [Name], be proactive about the health of your teeth and gums to avoid decay. Get scaling at a special price when you book a check-up [phone].
5. SMS notifications to customers about missed appointments
Send text messages to patients who missed their appointment to encourage them to book again, or to request a cancellation fee to cover the cost of the missed visit.
Examples:
Hello [Name], you missed your appointment at [Dental clinic name] yesterday. Please book again as soon as possible to avoid complications. Call [phone] to book.
Hello [Name], unfortunately we have to charge you a 50% missed appointment fee for [Date] at [Time]. This covers our costs at the clinic. Please pay by card or bank transfer here: [URL]
Bring the convenience of SMS notifications to your dental clinic this week by contacting us or signing up directly.
Like all healthcare facilities, dental clinics can benefit from using SMS for marketing and communication. With the Notify BG platform for automated SMS and e-mail notifications, you can make your reception’s work easier and increase the revenue of your dental clinic.
