While dental practices have shown improvement in their marketing practices, many still miss critical opportunities. Dr. Levin looks at the latest data and provides analysis.
Results of the 2016 Dental Economics–Levin Group Practice Survey clearly show that practice marketing remains a misunderstood and underutilized business tool for many dentists.
Almost half of doctors surveyed admit they have only a limited understanding of the subject. This deficit is reflected in the fact that they implement only a fraction of the number of marketing strategies needed to generate a sufficient flow of patient referrals and prospective new patients from the community.
Perhaps even more telling is the fact that so few practices—less than one out of every four—have a marketing coordinator (MC) on staff. This is true in spite of the fact that practices with an MC report 31% higher production than offices without one.
Here are additional survey results that further highlight the problem:
47%
Dentists who are somewhat or not at all familiar with their marketing activities
Fewer than 5
Average number of practice marketing strategies aimed at current patients (Levin Group recommends a minimum of 15)
Fewer than 4
Average number of practice marketing strategies aimed at the community (Levin Group recommends a minimum of 15)
Conclusion
Dentists have progressed significantly as marketers in the past decade, but they still have a long way to go in practice marketing. With greater understanding, more ongoing strategies, and a highly cost-effective part-time MC, doctors can increase production dramatically.
Author's note: Do you know where your practice stands? Find out with Levin Group’s new 30-Minute Practice Assessment! Spend 30 minutes on the phone with a dental management expert—for free. It’s your opportunity to see how your practice compares, discover your revenue potential, and discuss any business challenge you’re facing at no charge. To schedule your assessment, call (888) 973-0000 or e-mail [email protected].
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"Data Bites" is a monthly column in the Apex360 e-newsletter. It presents information from the Levin Data Center and analysis by Levin Group, a leading dental consulting firm.
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Editor's note: This article first appeared in the Apex360 e-newsletter. Apex360 is a DentistryIQ partner publication for dental practitioners and members of the dental industry. Its goal is to provide timely dental information and present it in meaningful context, empowering those in the dental space to make better business decisions. Subscribe to the Apex360 e-newsletter here.
