Infinity Insights Infinity Dental Web
  • Infinity Dental Web
  • About Us
  • Portfolio & Case Studies
  • Websites
  • Ask for a Quote
  • Blog

Client News

Dental Practice Guide to Reopening: COVID-19

Date: May 12, 2020
Category:
  • Client News
Author: Kaycie Smith

According to data from the American Dental Association, dentistry has been the healthcare industry hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, many states are now starting to reopen for elective dental procedures. This is great news, but the return to normal needs to be done with thoughtful preparation. Most states have provided guidelines to be followed. Along with those guidelines, we encourage the use of strong communication to the public on how your practice is handling the return. The communication needs to have a clear message about precautions you will be taking to keep them safe while at their appointment.

Your message should include two main points

  • We are open for business.
  • What safety precautions you are taking, including what you are doing for the “at risk” population.

How do you get the message out?

Clear and consistent messaging should be placed on your website and on your social media sites. We also recommend sending emails to your current patients. Here is an example the Spear Institute put together:

At [DENTAL PRACTICE NAME], we are continually focused on the health and well-being of our team and our patients. To ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone, we have followed the direction of the CDC and American Dental Association by implementing the following and have also identified some ways in which you can help ensure a safe and healthy environment:

What we are doing

  • We will be reviewing screening questions with each patient on the phone prior to your appointment and again when you arrive for your appointment.
  • Each patient will have their temperature taken at check-in.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the office.
  • Each team member will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). This PPE is an enhanced version to increase safety in our office.
  • Additional time has been scheduled between appointments for a thorough and deep cleaning of the treatment room.
  • The chairs and tables in the reception area are being wiped down every hour.
  • We are implementing special appointment times for our most vulnerable patients.
  • We are offering special appointment times for patients to condense multiple appointments into one block to limit the number of times required to come into the office.
  • Offering new financial arrangements to help ensure affordable care.

 

What you can do

  • Use the hand sanitizer station prior to check-in.
  • Please leave family members at home to limit the number of people in the office.
  • If you have a fever or feel sick, please let us know. We will reschedule your appointment for two weeks later.
  • Maintain social distancing with 6 feet or more spacing from other patients and our front office team.
  • When you arrive, call us from your car. We will let you know when we are ready for you so you can avoid the reception area and go straight back to a clean and sterilized treatment room.
  • If you experience a fever or any COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days after your appointment, please call us and let us know.
  • Tell your friends and family about your visit. We will provide the same healthy environment for them to have any necessary treatment completed.

 

We will continue to reach out and update you on a regular basis through various forms of contact. Please follow us on [SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS USED (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)] for up-to-date information, as well as tips and resources on how to maintain your oral hygiene at home during these times.

[Practice Information]

The above can be changed to include your specific needs.

Screening Questions

The ADA has added a return to work toolkit to their site. It includes sample letters to patients, chair-side checklists, staff protection strategies as well as a patient screening form. All valuable for your return to seeing patients.

ADA screening form COVID

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details that should not be overlooked

  • In-office communication with staff is key to making the return as seamless as possible.
  • Change your phone message where needed.
  • If using appointment reminder software, adjust the message where appropriate.
  • Let patients know that up-to-date developments are posted as needed.

 

Get a game plan in place

Create a weekly calendar that outlines your communication plan for all touch points.

  • Emails to patients
  • Website messaging
  • In-Office Communication
  • Social Media

 

Ways Infinity Dental Web can help

Now, more than ever, is the time to make sure your social media is being utilized. We have social media managers that are trained to handle the COVID pandemic with proper messaging that will be tailored to your practice. It is important that you are getting the message out that your practice is taking all necessary precautions and social media is a great way to give weekly updates.

We have reached out to all our clients and offered to add popup messaging, and many of you have taken advantage of this no-charge service we have offered. A number of clients have elected to have that popup message contain a link to a patient letter explaining new safety precautions you are taking and special instructions for them. We can change that message and the accompanying letter as needed. To have your website messaging changed, just email those changes to support@infinitydentalweb.com. If you have any questions, just call.

COVID-19 questionnaires can be added to your existing patient forms. Email support@infinitydentalweb.com with a copy of your COVID form questionnaire. If you would like an option that allows patients to fill out HIPAA-compliant forms onsite that sync with software, let us know.

As always, we are here to help you any way we can.

(Visited 615 times, 1 visits today)
Kaycie Smith is a Managing Director at Infinity Dental Web.

Tags: covid questionnaire, COVID-19, dental practices, dental social media, dentists, guide to reopening dental practice, HIPAA forms, patient communication, practice reopening, spear institute, staff communication

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Review Bug Causes Google Reviews to Disappear
  • The Value of Social Media for a Dental Practice
  • ADA Compliance Standards – How to Avoid a Lawsuit
  • What More Can I Do? Social Media and Your Marketing Plan
  • CallRail vs. Kall8
  • Search Trends in 2020
  • Virtual Consult App
  • Search Engine Journal – Don’t You Know This?

Search

Categories

  • Client News (98)
  • Company News (104)
  • Designs (14)
  • Feature Client (4)
  • Local Search (34)
  • Marketing (59)
  • Meet the Team (14)
  • Mobile Websites (13)
  • Regulations (2)
  • Reputation Management (19)
  • SEO (85)
  • Social Media for Dentists (83)
  • Tech Trends (45)
  • Uncategorized (6)
  • Video (8)
  • Website Design (2)

Archives

  • November 2022 (1)
  • January 2022 (1)
  • April 2021 (1)
  • December 2020 (1)
  • November 2020 (1)
  • September 2020 (1)
  • August 2020 (2)
  • July 2020 (1)
  • June 2020 (1)
  • May 2020 (6)
  • April 2020 (5)
  • March 2020 (3)
  • December 2019 (2)
  • October 2019 (2)
  • September 2019 (1)
  • July 2019 (1)
  • June 2019 (1)
  • May 2019 (1)
  • April 2019 (2)
  • March 2019 (1)
  • January 2019 (1)
  • October 2018 (1)
  • September 2018 (3)
  • August 2018 (3)
  • July 2018 (1)
  • May 2018 (1)
  • April 2018 (2)
  • March 2018 (3)
  • February 2018 (1)
  • January 2018 (1)
  • August 2017 (1)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • June 2017 (2)
  • May 2017 (2)
  • April 2017 (1)
  • January 2017 (2)
  • December 2016 (3)
  • November 2016 (1)
  • October 2016 (1)
  • August 2016 (1)
  • July 2016 (4)
  • June 2016 (2)
  • May 2016 (3)
  • April 2016 (1)
  • March 2016 (4)
  • February 2016 (5)
  • January 2016 (4)
  • December 2015 (7)
  • November 2015 (7)
  • October 2015 (6)
  • September 2015 (5)
  • August 2015 (4)
  • July 2015 (4)
  • June 2015 (10)
  • May 2015 (2)
  • April 2015 (1)
  • March 2015 (1)
  • February 2015 (4)
  • January 2015 (1)
  • December 2014 (5)
  • November 2014 (2)
  • October 2014 (6)
  • September 2014 (7)
  • August 2014 (2)
  • July 2014 (8)
  • June 2014 (5)
  • May 2014 (7)
  • April 2014 (4)
  • March 2014 (3)
  • February 2014 (3)
  • January 2014 (7)
  • December 2013 (6)
  • November 2013 (6)
  • October 2013 (6)
  • September 2013 (4)
  • August 2013 (5)
  • July 2013 (5)
  • June 2013 (7)
  • May 2013 (6)
  • April 2013 (4)
  • March 2013 (6)
  • February 2013 (9)
  • January 2013 (7)
  • December 2012 (11)
  • November 2012 (8)
  • October 2012 (5)
  • September 2012 (5)
  • August 2012 (7)
  • July 2012 (4)
  • June 2012 (6)
  • May 2012 (3)
  • April 2012 (5)
  • March 2012 (4)
  • February 2012 (5)
  • January 2012 (5)
  • December 2011 (5)
  • November 2011 (4)
  • October 2011 (4)
  • September 2011 (1)
  • August 2011 (6)
  • July 2011 (5)
  • June 2011 (6)
  • May 2011 (8)
  • April 2011 (9)
  • March 2011 (7)
  • February 2011 (8)
  • January 2011 (8)
  • December 2010 (9)
  • November 2010 (9)
  • October 2010 (9)
  • September 2010 (7)
  • August 2010 (10)
  • July 2010 (8)
  • June 2010 (5)
  • May 2010 (1)
  • April 2010 (4)
  • March 2010 (2)
  • February 2010 (1)
  • November 2009 (2)
  • October 2009 (7)

Tags

advertising American Dental Association Content Management System Websites content marketing cosmetic dentist COVID-19 dental marketing Dental SEO dental social media Dental Website Design Dental Websites Dentist dentists Facebook Facebook marketing general dentist general dentistry Google+ Google Business Listings Google places Google Reviews Google Universal Search Great Dental Websites Infinity Dental Web Instagram Internet Internet Marketing LinkedIn local search marketing Mobile Websites online reviews Pinterest post SEO social Social Media Social Media for Dentists social network technology Twitter Web Yelp Yelp Reviews YouTube Channel
Infinity Dental Web Logo Icon

And now ...
let us grow your practice

BBB Accredited Business badge American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Corporate Member badge

© 2009-2023 Infinity Dental Web Inc. IDW logo All rights reserved | Privacy Policy

Email address