An effective marketing technique:

Want a free, yet simple, way to gain new patients through current patients? How? In two words, “Simply ask.” Asking a current patient to refer family and friends should be done regularly by a staff member who has interacted with the patient during that appointment or by the dentist before the patient leaves the treatment room. Seeing a busy office, many current satisfied patients assume the practice has all the patients it can handle, failing to realize that the practice does, in fact, enthusiastically welcome new patients.

An example of effective phrasing might be, “Mrs. Lindell, Dr. Smith is seeing new patients. If you know family or friends who want a great dental office with the nicest patients and best dental care available, please ask them to call us.”

During the morning huddle review of that day’s schedule, the staff and doctor may want to decide who issues the reminder to which patient. Alternatively, the request may consistently be offered by a business staff member during check out, by the hygienist, the dental assistant or the dentist.