Monday Huddle: Are your patients’ thoughts killing your practice?

Feb. 3, 2023
While your patient waits for you or your team to come into the operatory, what do you think they’re thinking? Dr. David Rice says some of their thoughts could be jeopardizing the patient experience.
David R. Rice, DDS, Chief editor

What are your patients thinking?

  • How long will I wait here?
  • How long will this take?
  • Will it hurt?
  • That light is disgusting …
  • Are those instruments clean?
  • When’s the floss lecture coming?

Can you think of any more? More important, are you thinking about what your patient thinks when they:

  • Walk in your door?
  • Sit in your chair?
  • Listen to you speak?
  • Get a tx plan?
  • Get a procedure done?
  • See the bill?

The experience we provide either ignites our success or it puts out our fire; there is no middle ground.

Today’s challenge: Drop in ONE pro tip that helps you deliver an amazing experience that just might help a colleague do the same.

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Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Through the Loupes newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and subscribe to Through the Loupes.

About the Author

David R. Rice, DDS | Chief editor

Founder of the nation’s largest student and new-dentist community, igniteDDS, David R. Rice, DDS, travels the world speaking, writing, and connecting today’s top young dentists with tomorrow’s most successful dental practices. He is the editorial director of DentistryIQ and leads a team-centered restorative and implant practice in East Amherst, New York. With 27 years of practice in the books, Dr. Rice is trained at the Pankey Institute, the Dawson Academy, Spear Education, and most prolifically at the school of hard knocks. Contact him at [email protected].