May/June 2025 Dental News

Strengthen Patient Connections by Making Your Website the Central Hub for Patient Communications By: Ashli Klingaman, Content Marketing Manager at ProSites

Patients expect more than high-quality dental care from practices. As the internet becomes increasingly crowded with websites designed for service, patients want convenience, transparency, and fast communication. This means your website can no longer be just an online business card, but should serve as the central hub for engaging patients and strengthening connections. Findings from ProSites’ 2025 State of Dental Marketing research show difficulty in scheduling and rescheduling appointments was the #1 patient complaint for two consecutive years, highlighting the need for an easy- to-use online booking system. Gone are the days when a phone call was the only way for patients to book an appointment or ask a question. Now, patients turn to digital channels for instant answers and seamless interactions. From appointment scheduling to patient education, the right strategy can transform your website into the ultimate tool for communication and growth. However, to stand out in a digital crowd, your practice will need to go beyond an optimized website and include other digital channels to remain competitive, build trust, and ultimately drive higher revenue. Why Your Website Should Be the Core of Patient Communications When patients have an expectation of convenience when interacting with your practice, it's important that your website offers more than just a place for patients to find your phone number. It should be the main hub where they engage with you. 82% of people will access your website via a mobile phone. So, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly and includes convenient ways to interact with your practice is necessary to stand out. Personalizing the Patient Experience Personalizing your patients’ experience with your office is an effective way to have your practice stand out. If you aren't communicating with patients regularly, there may be another practice who is. From appointment reminders to follow-up messages, automated tools can keep patients engaged without creating extra work for your team. Ensuring a seamless, personalized experience with minimal manual effort allows staff to focus on providing top-tier care while patients feel valued and informed every step of the way.

For example, you could use an automated system that inserts patient names into appointment reminders and follow-up messages. This simple touch can make a big difference in patient satisfaction while requiring no additional time from staff. Social media is another channel to engage with patients and provide valuable educational content. Regularly posting targeted information, such as dental-care tips, procedure explanations, and answers to common patient concerns, positions your practice as a trusted resource. Interactive content, like Q&A sessions and patient testimonials, also strengthens connections and keeps your practice top of mind. Conclusion Your website is more than just a digital front door. It’s the core of your patient communication strategy. By offering seamless access to information, personalized content, and multiple engagement channels, you can meet the evolving expectations of today’s patients and build lasting relationships. Looking to unify your website and your patient communications? Visit prosites.com/ISDS to learn more and unlock exclusive ISDS member discounts.

6 ■ ILLINOIS DENTAL NEWS / MAY • JUNE 2025

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