Thursday, April 9, 2020
It is certainly anything but business as usual for dentists all over the world. The ongoing COVID-19 health crisis has sent dental practices into a tailspin as they race to shift their business model to meet the needs of patients while still being responsible global citizens.
Yes, these are challenging times, but remember you’re not alone. We’re all trying to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are six important tips to help you get through it:
1. Prioritize Visits. Depending on the state and city you live in, there are different levels of restrictions in place you are legally required to follow. Most providers can only see patients with acute dental needs. This means regular check-ups and cleanings should be put on hold until the threat has passed and the restrictions have been lifted.
If you’re treating emergencies, it is vital to put proper precautions in place before seeing patients. You also need to make sure patients understand they will not be seen if they exhibit any coronavirus symptoms.
2. Leverage Technology. Now more than ever, you need to lean on technology to keep your business afloat. For patients who do not require emergency care because of an acute condition, consider setting up virtual appointments. While it is never a substitute for in-person care, there is still a lot of meaningful information and medical advice you can provide to your patients through teledentistry. By making yourself available to your valued patients, you will position yourself as a caring and conscientious medical care provider—and that will boost your business in the long run.
3. Protect Your Employees. Savvy and compassionate dental practice owners are rightfully concerned about the well-being of their employees during this crisis. Protecting your employees encompasses a wide range of services. First, you need to protect the overall health of your workers. Ensure all employees still coming to work have proper protective equipment and any other essentials they need. Be sure to consider the safety of your front office workers as well as those treating patients.
In addition to guarding the physical safety of your employees, you also need to make sure they are taken care of financially if you had to cut hours or lay off some of your staff. You can do this by offering to help them navigate the complex unemployment benefits structure and ensuring they have the documentation they need to receive financial assistance.
4. Understand Your Financial Opportunities. With the inevitable loss of business, many dental practices will suffer financially. Fortunately, a host of legislation has been passed at the federal level. The coronavirus stimulus package recently passed by Congress includes a provision to help small businesses keep their operations running during this difficult business climate.
5. Communicate with Patients. Your patients are understandably experiencing uncertainty right now. They’re concerned about keeping themselves and their families healthy and worried about their jobs. Just like you, this is a stressful time for them. Show your patients you care about them as people by staying in touch.
It is a good idea to send out regular emails keeping patients informed about how you can still meet their dental needs even though your office is closed. This is also a great opportunity to generate goodwill by providing valuable content that is relevant to their needs. For example, post a blog on your website that details practical dental hygiene tips so patients know how to best care for their oral health while they’re at home.
6. Reach Out for Help. There is a large network of professionals who can help you mitigate the impacts of this pandemic. The American Dental Association (ADA) has responded quickly to the crisis, offering guidance to dentists looking to work through every aspect of this rapidly changing situation. You are not in this alone. Lean on professional associations to guide you as you change your practice to meet the strict safety protocols put in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
These certainly are challenging times for everyone. Hopefully, these tips will help you navigate through some of the uncertainly. Remember, you’re not alone. We’ll get through this together.
Abby Drexler is a contributing writer and Sr. Digital PR Specialist on behalf of Dr. Lisa Muff. She regularly produces content to a variety of health and business blogs.