One of the greatest assets in your practice is not your equipment, your location, or even the services you provide.
It's the relationships you have already built.
Many dental and dental hygiene practices spend a great deal of time thinking about how to attract new patients, but often overlook one of the simplest and most effective ways to grow a practice: staying connected with the patients they already serve.
Think about it. Most of your patients only see you a few times a year. In between appointments, life happens. They get busy. They forget. They don't always remember all the ways you can support them.
And that's where a simple email can make all the difference.
Once or twice a month, take the opportunity to reach out. Share a helpful tip. Highlight a service. Offer a seasonal reminder. Educate your patients about something that may improve their oral health or overall well-being.
The goal isn't to "market" to them.
The goal is to continue caring for them between appointments.
Over the course of a year, you could create a simple communication calendar:
January – New Year, New Smile
February – The Connection Between Oral Health and Heart Health
March – Spring Renewal for Your Oral Health
April – Oral Cancer Awareness Month
May – Nourish Your Smile
June – Wedding Season and Professional Whitening
and so on...
Small, consistent touchpoints help keep your practice top of mind while reminding patients of the many ways you can support their health.
Years ago, my mentor Dean Jackson introduced me to the concept of the Super Signature—a simple section added to the bottom of an email that reminds people of all the ways you can help them.
As I reflected on this idea through the lens of dental hygiene, I saw an opportunity to extend the patient experience beyond the appointment itself. A simple email can educate, support, and remind patients that you're still there to help long after they leave the operatory.
What if every patient email included a "Super Signature – Patient Care Edition™" that highlighted services, resources, products, and solutions available to support their oral health between appointments?
One idea I love is creating a simple "Here's How We Can Help" section at the bottom of every email. Think of it as your Super Signature – Patient Care Edition™. If you have ever emailed me personally, you have probably noticed that I include one at the bottom of every message. It's a simple way to remind people of the many ways we can help. For me, it's a way to stay connected with our members between courses and events.
Here's How We Can Help (and you can choose 3 or 4 to use at a time)
Patients can't benefit from services they don't know you provide.
And they can't act on solutions they don't know exist.
Every email becomes an opportunity to educate, support, and strengthen the relationship you've worked so hard to build.
The appointment may end, but the relationship doesn't.
And sometimes, a simple email is all it takes to remind your patients that you're still there, ready to help.
And guess what? Once you've created the message, you can repurpose it across multiple platforms. Share it in your newsletter, post it on social media, include it in your patient communications, and keep the conversation going. One message can become many touchpoints.
This Week's Reflection
What is one email you could send this month that would help your patients live healthier lives?
Until next Tuesday, :)
Warmly,
Kathleen
Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc ~ President, rdhu
