Most people understand the significance of dental hygiene, so why do approximately 21.3% of adults in the US rarely visit dentists? The most common reasons behind the lack of dental appointments are anxiety and costs. Another important factor that significantly contributes to this situation is the lack of trust between dentists and clients. Hence, it’s imperative that you earn your client’s trust so they accept your treatment wholeheartedly.
Client trust will serve as the foundation of your success. It will not only help you get more referrals and appointments but will also improve clients’ health. Whether you occupy the position of a dentist, hygienist, dental assistant, or dental temp, here are some tips that can help you establish a long-lasting relationship with your client.
1. Create an impactful first impression
First impressions often turn out to be last impressions too! What you say to your clients the first time you meet them can be what they remember you by for the rest of their life. Hence, you must be very careful when introducing yourself to them. Keep your introduction brief and crisp. Also, try your best to keep it personal and unique for each client. If you invest emotionally in each client’s journey, they will feel safe and comfortable in your company. Also, ensure that you make your credentials accessible to them. This will demonstrate your authority and will allow your clients to place their complete trust in your services.
2. Communicate effectively
It’s not only compulsory for you but for your entire team, including dental temps, assistants, and hygienists, to communicate well with clients. Communication is the key to establishing a long-lasting and trustworthy relationship between dentists and clients. Please explain to the client their situation in detail. Most people do not visit dental professionals regularly because they cannot comprehend the importance of treatment and the gravity of their condition.
Dental professionals often forget that people are not familiar with formal dental terminologies. Hence, please use easy-to-understand language, so your client knows the intensity of their condition and its effects if it remains untreated. Let them know about every procedure that will be performed and the duration of it. This will help them make an informed decision.
3. Do not try to sell your services
As a dental professional, you must understand that services shouldn’t be sold but provided with care. The experience of being sold to can appear negative and discourage clients from visiting you. Instead of adopting a selling technique, try to treat each client as an individual. Tailor your treatment as per their behavior and approach. For example, if your patient experiences extreme anxiety, you must be soft-spoken and treat them with care and patience; otherwise, they will not return to avail of your services. Also, address their concerns and queries willingly so they feel comfortable approaching you the next time.
4. Address negative reviews
In today’s digital era, trust building does not only happen during a physical meetup but online too! Your career does not end with a bad review, however, how you handle and respond to it speaks volumes about your services. Approximately 93% of people claim that online reviews influence their purchasing decisions. If a negative review has been published about you, please address it publicly as soon as possible. This will show your potential clients that you care about their oral hygiene and are willing to improve yourself. It’s not enough to simply respond or appear trustworthy and professional online; instead, you must act professionally in real life too.
5. Be consistent and involve your entire team
Consistency helps build trust. If you adhere to your values and beliefs and remain true to yourself, it will automatically create a strong relationship between you and your client. A good experience will motivate them to recommend you to their friends and family, allowing your business to grow and flourish. Your full-time support team can also play a vital role in making clients feel safe and comfortable. Involve your team when making important decisions. This will keep them motivated to perform to the best of their abilities.
Your best chance at being happy at work is if your clients are satisfied with your performance and place their absolute trust in your services. This mutual trust between dentists and clients can be possible if you follow the tips above with absolute determination and sincerity.
We at TempStars know how to build trust with patients–75,000+ Dental Temping Shifts completed since 2015! Contact us to learn more and build trust with your clients in no time!
