Did you anxiously await the arrival of the tooth fairy as a child? In some ways, the tooth fairy is even better than Santa. After all, she leaves money you can spend on whatever you want and she visits at unplanned times of the year.

Regardless, the tooth fairy can make the scary experience of losing teeth a little more bearable.

Have you ever stopped to think about how the tooth fairy tradition began? Here is some insight to the story. 

When did the tooth fairy tradition start and what is it?

In the United States, the origins of the modern tooth fairy have been traced to a 1908 publication in the Chicago Daily Tribune. The author, Lillian Brown, was offering parents the suggestion to have their child leave their lost tooth under their pillow. In the night, the tooth fairy would come and leave a small gift that the parent conveniently picked up from the 5-cent store.

But, what is the tooth fairy exactly? And what does it look like? Unlike Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, there isn’t a well-defined “look” for the tooth fairy. 

Most people today agree that she’s female and has a Tinkerbell-like appearance, which became predominant with the rise of Disney’s portrayal of fairies. However, the tooth fairy has been reimagined in various forms including a child with wings, a pixie, a dragon, a bear, a dental hygienist, a flying ballerina, and more. 

Interestingly, throughout much of Europe and in Spanish-speaking countries, the tooth fairy is envisioned as a mouse. He is called El Ratóncito Pérez in Spanish, La Petite Souris in French, and Fatina dei Denti in Italian.  

Regardless of how you picture the tooth fairy, she has been calming the fears of children as they lose their baby teeth for generations. Plus, she has helped parents encourage their children towards good dental health and to be excited to find a dentist. 

The history behind the tooth fairy

As is often the case with modern traditions, the history of the tooth fairy dates back much farther than the early 1900s. Various traditions from many different cultures have influenced the creation and perception of the tooth fairy over the years. 

Across northern Europe, there is the tradition of the Tand-fé (tooth fee) which children received when losing their first baby tooth. This tradition dates back as far as the earliest written Norse records, around 1200. 

In the same culture, it was thought that children’s teeth could bring good luck in battle. Many a Scandinavian warrior wouldn’t dare touch foot on the battlefield without a string of children’s teeth around his neck. 

Later on, other superstitions developed around children’s teeth. Children in England were told to bury their baby teeth so they wouldn’t suffer hardship in the afterlife. The Vikings would pay children for their teeth. 

In medieval times, Europeans thought that if a witch possessed your teeth, they could have total power over you. This led many people to burn or bury their children’s baby teeth to keep themselves safe. 

After Lillian Brown’s article in 1908, the U.S. tradition became solidly established in modern culture and spread around the world. In 2011 and 2012, the Royal Canadian Mint created Tooth Fairy quarters. In 2020, the Royal Australian Mint started creating “Tooth Fairy kits” with commemorative $2 coins. 

How much money should the tooth fairy leave?

How much money the tooth fairy leaves is often dependent on the family’s socioeconomic status and the amount the child’s friends are receiving. Typical amounts that today’s parents may have received as children range from a quarter to a dollar.

Kids these days are receiving considerably more. A recent poll reveals that the tooth fairy is dolling out an average of $4.70 per tooth! Payouts for the first tooth are often higher and sometimes the tooth fairy will pay more for shiny, clean teeth. 

Fun ways to welcome the tooth fairy

Ultimately, the whole point of the tooth fairy is to encourage your kids to develop good dental habits. So, aside from the excitement of finding money under their pillow, there are other ways that you can make it special when those baby teeth come out. Here are a few ideas.

Pick out a tooth fairy dish

Traditionally, children simply put their teeth under their pillows. But you can up the fun factor by taking your child to pick out a special dish for their tooth to leave on a nightstand. Make it a unique craft project and paint your own or look for something unique at a thrift store or antique shop. 

Give a receipt

Kids will think it’s great if the tooth fairy leaves them a little receipt for their tooth. It can even include an encouraging message about how great they are doing keeping up with their dental care!

Create a keepsake book

Take the receipt idea one step further and get a little notebook where your child can leave notes for the tooth fairy as well. Then, when the tooth fairy leaves the money, she can also add an encouraging or informative note about their next dentist appointment.

Tooth fairy stories

The tooth fairy for kids has popped up in various ways in children’s books, stories, and videos. She is featured in popular books like The Berenstain Bears and the Tooth Fairy or How to Catch the Tooth Fairy by Adam Wallace.

“The Rock” even makes an appearance as the tooth fairy in the 2010 film The Tooth Fairy. It’s a little silly, but if you’ve ever wondered what Dwayne Johnson looks like in a tutu, here’s your chance to find out. 

Visiting the “real” tooth fairy

The tooth fairy tradition can help make the transition from primary to permanent teeth easier for kids. Losing teeth can be a big and uncertain change for a child. The tooth fairy helps create a sense of wonder and fun during this time, and parents can use the opportunity to make visiting a dentist near you less scary. 

The post Tooth fairy 101: History, tradition, and how to make healthy teeth fun for children appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

These days  many people are becoming obsessed with brilliant white, movie-star smiles. People with white teeth are typically seen as more attractive, younger, and more successful (regardless of actual circumstances). While having white teeth is a fantastic goal, having healthy teeth is even better. 

Most people already know that seeing a dentist regularly is a great way to keep their smile healthy. However, you might be wondering if those same dental visits can help you attain a whiter smile. Let’s find out. 

Does a white smile = a healthy smile?

First of all, is a white smile and a healthy smile the same thing? In general, you can say that having white teeth is a sign of a healthy smile. After all, someone that brushes, flosses, and regularly cares for their teeth will generally have a whiter smile. 

However, it is possible to have a healthy yellow smile and an unhealthy white one. 

Our natural tooth color isn’t really the white that we all dream of or see in the media. Tooth enamel is somewhat bluish and translucent, and the inner part of our tooth (called the dentin) is a little yellow. Together, they create the appearance of white teeth. 

As we age, tooth enamel thins, which allows more of the dentin to show through, making the teeth look more yellow. However, the teeth may still be perfectly healthy. 

Why regular teeth cleanings help keep your teeth looking white

Furthermore, over time, consuming dark-colored foods and drinks can start to stain your teeth. Coffee, tea, tomato sauce, and dark-colored sugary sodas are some of the biggest culprits. 

However, professional dental cleanings are strong enough to remove some of these stains from your teeth. Plus, they remove the plaque and tartar that collect on your teeth. This is important because these substances harbor harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems. 

How often should you get your teeth cleaned?

Most dentists say that people should get their teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. The American Dental Association reminds us that not everyone’s dental health is the same, however, and patients should follow the recommendation of their dentist. People with certain dental problems may need to schedule their dentist appointments more often to maintain optimum health. 

Oral diseases that can form over time might affect the look of your smile or breath

What if you’re not too concerned about getting your teeth professionally cleaned? Many people feel that flossing and brushing are enough, especially with a fancy electric toothbrush. 

A visit to the dentist is about more than just cleaning your teeth. Your dentist will also perform an oral cancer screening and examine your mouth for any signs of tooth decay, gum disease, or any other oral health problems. 

Dental issues can be sneaky. You might be putting people off with bad breath without realizing it and cavities can grow fairly large before you realize they’re there. You could even end up losing a tooth or suffering a severely damaged tooth when you stay away from the dentist. 

Find a dentist today and visit them to avoid these unpleasant issues.

Why regular visits are so important

The nerves in your teeth are encased in the tooth’s root. The layers of your tooth surround this sensitive interior, meaning that dental issues can grow painlessly for a time on the surface of your teeth. By the time you feel it, the disease has already penetrated to the center of your tooth. 

However, dentists can spot these problems long before you feel the pain. This makes it far easier to correct the issue and far less likely that you’ll lose a tooth over it. 

Can dentists whiten your teeth?

At the very least, you might consider seeing a dentist for a whiter smile. A basic cleaning will rid your teeth of some food and drink-related stains.

Plus, modern technology gives dentists powerful tools that can quickly and safely whiten your teeth. 

In-office tooth whitening can lighten your teeth by several shades in just one office visit. Alternatively, your dentist may send you home with a professional-grade at-home tooth whitening kit. When used strictly according to directions, you can safely experience noticeably whiter teeth within a couple of weeks. 

Ready for a whiter, healthier smile?

Taking care of your teeth is important, and not just for your appearance. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease and may have other systemic effects on the body. 

Visiting a dentist is one of the best weapons you can wield in the fight against unhealthy (often discolored) teeth. Don’t have one yet? Use our tool to be matched with a dentist near you!

The post Will seeing a dentist regularly give me a whiter smile? appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Dentistry during the pandemic sure has become quite the challenge, due to heightened anxiety around infection control, stay at home orders, and measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Despite dental offices being a completely safe and essential service, some patients simply stopped going to the dentist altogether.

But now that the first waves of the pandemic are behind us as vaccinations roll out across Canada and the United States, how are people feeling about coming back? What can you do to make your patients feel more comfortable?

At Opencare, we conducted a patient survey about COVID-19 of over 650+ dental patients in North America. We want to share these results with you and you can learn how to make patients feel more comfortable at the dentist as lockdowns begin to lift. Opencare supports thousands of dentists every day with resources to grow and run their practice. 

Who we surveyed 

We selected a cohort of 666, of which roughly ⅔ were from Canada and the rest from the United States (mostly California). The majority of respondents (82%) were between 25 and 44 years old and 55% were women. Roughly 43% of respondents earn between $50,000 and $100,000 per year. 

Health habits

The patients we surveyed, as you will see below, are health-conscious patients who excited to get back to the dentist. Opencare patients are highly educated on preventative healthcare and understand the importance of frequent dentist visits.

Most participants were in good health and understood the importance of healthy habits. On a scale of 1 to 5, 80% rated their health a 4 or higher.

A whopping 95% of respondents brushed their teeth daily (woo-hoo, somebody’s doing their job!), 60.8% floss on the daily, and 45% visit the dentist every six months. Nearly 80% said they drank plenty of fluids and water, 64% did not smoke, 62% ate nutritiously, and 52% got daily exercise. All in all, generally healthy people.

These are the type of patients you probably usually see in your dental practice and especially who you want to target going forward. These patients understand the importance of going to the dentist, even in the midst of a pandemic. Along with having dental insurance, they are willing to invest in their long-term dental health and understand that regular dental visits are an essential piece of the puzzle. 

Attitudes toward dentistry during the pandemic

So, what has been going through patient’s minds during the pandemic? To find out, we first asked how many participants had seen a dentist in the past year. An exciting 75% said yes! That’s a good thing that only 25% of people surveyed chose not to visit the dentist this year and a testament to positive patient education.

We also asked if anybody had a canceled dentist appointment and 38% said yes. Of those, 60% were canceled because of a COVID-19 lockdown and 19% were canceled because of scheduling issues. Additionally, 10% of patients canceled themselves because they were uncomfortable about going to the dentist.  

What can you do as a dentist to make them more comfortable?

The good news is that it appears most people feel rather confident about going to the dentist even during these crazy times. A solid 44% of respondents plan to visit the dentist within the next three months and another 34% will go within the next year.

Only 4.7% said they would go only if they were in pain or it was an emergency. The top reason offered (55%) was that they were waiting for life to go back to normal and 26% were scared of getting COVID-19. 

However, you don’t want to leave anybody behind. We understand you take the oral health of every patient in your practice very seriously. So we’ve put together these tips to help you make them feel more about visiting you and give them a more enjoyable experience while they are there. 

How to reduce pandemic anxiety for your patients

Without a doubt, the dentistry industry has been affected just like everything else. However, unlike other industries, such as the restaurant or entertainment industries, people can’t just stop going to the dentist. If they stop going for preventive care, they will ultimately end up in your office for emergency care. 

This is creating a backlog of patients who’ll need dental care in the near future. Many people plan to wait for a bit after their dental office opens up to avoid the flood of patients. Others are waiting for life to “get back to normal” before they go. Unfortunately, this just means that more people will be flooding the offices later. This is not ideal when you want to limit the number of people in your office at the same time as well as need extra time between patients for increased sanitation measures. 

So, how do you get those patients in your office now? Here are a few tips.

Communicate with your patients

People don’t know what’s going on in your office unless you tell them. They may be sitting at home imagining crowded waiting rooms and long waits to get in to see the dentist. They might even decide it isn’t worth the effort or the risk when there is no extra effort or risk involved. 

So, shout it from the rooftops! Or, as we tend to do in this day and age, launch an electronic campaign. Email your patients, go live on social media and post lots of visual content. People need to see sparkling clean exam rooms, empty waiting rooms, staff decked out in full PPE, and air purifiers being installed. 

For help on drafting “welcome back” emails, check out this free toolkit provided by the ADA. Other emails you can send to reassure patients and keep you fresh in their minds include:

• A reassurance email on sanitization
• Tips and advice for at-home oral wellness
• A self-diagnosis tool for common problems
• Dental emergency guidelines
• Resources and content you find useful from dental thought-leaders

Survey your own patients

The information from this survey and others you might be gathering is gold and will help direct your efforts. However, it doesn’t hurt to do your own survey among your own patients. There is no guarantee that the typical patient in your dental practice feels the same as what is reflected in these results. 

Furthermore, a patient survey about COVID-19 communicates an important fact to your patients: you care about what they think and you want to incorporate their ideas into your plan. It also shows patients who might feel nervous that you’re doing everything you can to address their concerns. 

Transparency

Be open about everything, not just the extra measures you are putting in place, but also the risks you face. If you have a COVID exposure, it can feel tempting to cover it up. You might be afraid that people will see it as a reason to feel less confident in your practice. 

But think about it from this angle as well. People will see you putting your patients first. Instead of protecting your profits (staying open and continuing to see patients), you’re more concerned about patient and staff health. You’ll take a financial hit in the short run, but remember what we already mentioned, people will still need to see the dentist. And they’re going to want to see one that has proven their dedication to putting their patients first. 

How to make your patients feel safe before, during, and after their dental appointment in 2021

Once you’ve gotten your patients’ attention and they’ve booked an appointment, you need to ensure they feel safe and confident during their entire experience. 

1. Visible sanitization

The best thing you can do to ease your patients’ minds is to strictly follow sanitation measures. Provide masks, hand sanitizer, and perform visible sanitization measures in front of your patients to show that they’re safe. Install air purifiers in visible places to further put your patients at ease.

When asked about what would make them feel safe, one survey respondent said, “Reassurance of how all tools are cleaned and sterilized. Make me feel like what you’re putting in my mouth is super clean.” Even though dentists have always been vigilant about sanitation, it’s important to talk about it and let your patients know the steps you’re taking to keep them safe.

As you open a new pack of tools, say, “These tools have been sanitized using our sanitization process which includes…”. That little bit of information goes a long way when it comes to patient reassurance. 

2. Increased PPE

It might feel a little impersonal to greet your patients ensconced in PPE from head to toe. Full PPE covers pretty much every inch of the body, meaning new patients won’t even know what you look like. What’s worse, your smile, every dentist’s favorite feature, is hidden away behind a mask. 

However, no matter how impersonal it feels, your patients will appreciate the extra effort to protect them. Learn to communicate your smile with your eyes and reassure your patients with your voice. It’s a little different way of doing things, but we’re all adapting to new challenges these days.  

3. Less contact with staff and other patients

Social distancing is one of the main ways we can all do our part to stop the spread of the virus. Your patients want to avoid unnecessary contact with people. A few of the ways you can do that is by allowing for contactless check-in, plexiglass between your reception and your patients, and making sure your waiting room is always empty.

Of course, waiting rooms have always been there for a reason. Where are patients supposed to wait to be seen? One great idea that many businesses are adopting is to allow patients to wait in their cars. They can check in once they arrive via text message or an app like Opencare. When it’s time for their turn, you can call or send them a text so only one patient comes in at a time.

It’s also important not to crowd too many appointments into the same day. It’s another hit for your bottom line, but you need extra time to sanitize between patients and ensure there aren’t too many people in your office at once. 

Need more time back in your day? Opencare can help you and your office team save 20 hours per week with our insurance verification services. Find out more.

4. Temperature checks and testing

Another suggestion survey respondents offered was to incorporate temperature checks and COVID testing. Consider requiring negative tests from patients or proof of vaccinations,  and provide weekly COVID testing for your staff or insure they are vaccinated. The practicality of this might be a little challenging, but you can decide how far you want to take it.

A more practical approach is to take everyone’s temperature upon entering the office. This won’t cost you anything extra and is another layer of protection that your patients will appreciate. Also, be sure your reception staff is fully aware of the symptoms of COVID and is empowered to turn away anyone who is showing signs of being positive. 

5. Proof of infection control

Finally, remember that not everyone feels comfortable trusting that you’re doing what you say you’re doing in following RCDSO or  CDC sanitation guidelines . Most people are confident and trust you’re doing everything you can, but some people may still feel nervous about it. 

We also asked patients how they felt about dentists having proof of infection control and following proper sanitization guidelines. Almost 45% said they felt confident and another 37% felt very confident and fully trusted their dentist to follow the protocol. However, 12% felt worried and 6% felt worried enough to want to see some kind of certification or proof. 

iThe best thing you can do is be fully transparent about what you’re doing and make sure that you’re taking visible precautions to put your patients at ease. 

Safely serving your patients 

We hope these dental patient and COVID-19 stats have given you more confidence in serving your patients. Patients are willing and excited to go back to the dentist. Preventative care can’t be put on hold forever or your patients’ dental health will begin to suffer greatly. 

Check out more about how Opencare can help you better serve your patient through the pandemic and beyond.

The post How do patients feel about returning to the dentist during and after COVID-19? An infographic for dentists appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Do coffee and white teeth go together? If you’re a coffee-lover, you already know the unfortunate answer and you may find yourself torn.

You want a bright white smile, but your morning cup jumpstarts your day. You just aren’t you without your coffee! And you’re not alone. The average coffee drinker enjoys three blissful cups each day, and many people drink far more.

The good news is that there are ways to enjoy both. Plus, you’ll be doing your dental health a favor in the meantime, so it’s a win-win.

Why coffee stains teeth 

As you may know, tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, so how is it possible for it to get stained? Well, it has to do with the structure of your teeth. Tooth enamel looks flat and smooth, but on a microscopic level, it is not. There are actually tiny pits in the enamel that can catch and hold the pigments which cause yellowing.

Furthermore, coffee contains organic compounds called tannins. These tannins are a type of polyphenol that dissolves in water and coffee isn’t the only culprit. Tannins can be found in black tea, wine, and other beverages. 

Tannins help color pigments from your delicious pick-me-up stick to your teeth. This, combined with the pigments getting stuck in the pits in your teeth, cause discoloration over time. 

Even just one cup of coffee a day is enough to have this effect, though it will take a long time. Constantly exposing your teeth to coffee, such as those who slowly enjoy coffee all day, will speed up the process considerably.

There are also other foods that can contribute to staining your teeth, so coffee doesn’t have to take all the blame. Tomato sauce; dark berries like blackberries, cherries, and blueberries; dark soda; hard candy; and more can all discolor your teeth over time.

Is coffee bad for teeth?

So coffee-drinking and white teeth don’t look like they will be friends anytime soon. Is there anything else about coffee that is bad for your teeth? Unfortunately, there is.

Coffee is quite acidic. Overexposure to acidity, which also appears in light-colored beverages like lemonade, can degrade your tooth enamel over time. This weakening of the enamel also probably contributes to the yellowing effect of drinking these beverages. 

Having one or two cups of coffee a day probably won’t cause a problem. However, heavy coffee drinkers may discover that their habit is leading to tooth decay and more frequent cavities. This is especially damaging for coffee grazers – that is, people who drink coffee slowly throughout the day. 

How can I protect my teeth when drinking coffee?

You might wonder if diluting your coffee with milk and sugar will help slow the discoloration. However, don’t let that light brown color fool you, just because your coffee is lighter in color doesn’t mean it can’t stain your teeth. In fact, the presence of extra sugar can actually contribute to bacteria production and speed up tooth decay.

Without a doubt, the best way to protect your teeth from yellowing and tooth decay as a result of drinking coffee is to stop drinking coffee. 

Hold on, put your pitchforks away, we understand giving up coffee altogether isn’t feasible for many people. Thankfully, there are a few tricks you can use to minimize tooth discoloration. 

Drink your coffee in one sitting

First, try not to drink coffee all day long. Instead, enjoy your cup of coffee all at once.

A quick rinse

Swish a mouthful of water around in your mouth immediately after drinking coffee to help rinse tannins and pigments off your teeth. 

Drink through a straw

Another great tip for iced coffee drinkers is to drink it through a straw. This will help minimize your teeth’s exposure to the staining effects of that liquid goodness. 

Brush your teeth

As you might guess, brushing your teeth after drinking coffee is also a great idea and helps combat the bad breath that coffee can promote. However, because of the weakening effect of the acid, it’s better to wait about half an hour after you finish your cup to brush. Brushing your teeth immediately afterward can further weaken the enamel and promote staining.

Also, be sure to keep up your oral hygiene. Visit your dentist twice a year to remove stains and keep your teeth white and beautiful. Find a dentist to get started!

Are coffee stains on teeth permanent?

No! It’s unlikely stains will go away on their own, even if you stop drinking coffee. However, there is a veritable arsenal of both home remedies and professional dental techniques that can help whiten your teeth once more.

How do you get coffee stains off your teeth?

Some of it depends on how heavily your teeth have been stained. You may be able to rehabilitate lightly stained teeth with at-home remedies, whereas heavy stains may require the skilled hand of a dental professional. 

Regardless, let’s look at the many options that are available. 

Eating certain fruits and vegetables

First up, nature has its own remedy for teeth stains. Just as there are foods that can stain your teeth, there are also foods that can scrub them off. The fibers in strawberries, lemons, and other raw fruits and vegetables can help clean teeth and break down bacteria. 

However, don’t go overboard or try coating these foods on your teeth to clean off stains. You could do just as much harm as good. For example, the acidity in lemons could cause worse damage by drastically weakening your tooth enamel. 

Whitening toothpaste

One simple way of removing coffee stains from your teeth is to use whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives that work with your toothbrush to scrub your teeth and help remove the pigments that have gotten stuck in the tiny pits of your teeth. 

The great thing about this method of tooth-whitening treatment is that it is very gentle. You won’t see dramatic results from one day to the next, but it is an excellent long-term solution for keeping your teeth white while enjoying your favorite cup of joe each day. 

Baking soda wash

The taste of baking soda is a little unpleasant, but the extra whitening power is enough for most people to endure it. Try brushing your teeth with baking soda a couple of times a month. You can also add it to your regular toothpaste to mask the taste a bit while still enjoying the benefits. 

For a one-two whitening punch, try making a paste using one part making soda to two parts hydrogen peroxide and brushing your teeth with it. Alternatively, you can use it as a mouthwash. The vigorous bubble action you’ll see when using these two ingredients together is tough on stains but gentle on your teeth. 

Teeth whitening strips

Over-the-counter teeth whitening strips can be helpful for more stubborn stains (or faster whitening). However, always be sure to follow the directions when using them. Though they are safe when used regularly, improper use of at-home whitening products can damage your teeth and gums and lead to further oral problems. 

Visiting the dentist regularly

An excellent method of keeping your teeth white as well as supporting your overall dental health is to visit your dentist twice a year. A professional cleaning will often remove coffee stains, particularly when done frequently before the stains have had a lot of time to settle deep into the teeth. 

Your dentist will also remove plaque and tartar buildup that can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, or other oral health problems. How long has it been since the last time you had a dentist appointment? Make one today to keep up on your oral health. 

Professional teeth whitening

The best way of removing dark or stubborn coffee stains is by visiting a dentist for professional tooth whitening. In-office teeth whitening treatment can lighten your teeth by several shades in just one visit. Despite its powerful effect, this procedure is relatively gentle on your teeth and gums.

Professional-strength teeth whitening is also available as a take-home kit under the watchful eye of your dentist. Treatment will usually last about two weeks and noticeably lighten your teeth by several shades. Using this type of treatment according to your dentist’s instructions is safe and effective. 

However, some people have damaged their teeth by misusing at-home teeth-whitening kits, so be sure to use them as directed. 

Enjoy your pearly whites and coffee too!

There you have it! It is possible to enjoy your coffee and white teeth at the same time. Just follow the tips in this article and make sure to visit your dentist regularly.

Don’t have a dentist? Find a dentist near you and level up your oral wellness today!

The post Coffee stains on your teeth? Here’s how to remove and prevent them appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

No matter how tight of a ship you run at your dental office, attracting new patients will always be something on your radar. Whether you’re a veteran office or a brand new practice, it’s key to keep a consistent patient flow and build your patient base to grow your business. Let’s discuss how you can attract new patients to your practice.

As of 2016, 62% of Americans in an Adult’s Oral Health and Well-Being survey reported visiting their dentist at least once annually. That number went down to 58% in 2017. Relatedly, a whopping 85% of Americans recognize and believe that oral health is important. 

So, why aren’t they getting the care they want and need? 

Most people say it’s one (or more) of the following reasons: 

• The costs that are likely to get incurred. 
• Difficulty in finding a convenient place and appointment time. 
• A fear of dentists. 

Perhaps, as a dentist, you should focus on the 85% who recognize the need for better oral care and give them reasons to come in for a dental appointment rather than excuses to avoid them. After all, the numbers don’t lie. So capitalize on the positives and create a thriving dental practice. 

It’s estimated the global dental market will be $37 billion this calendar year. 

Here’s how to do grow your patient base: 

• Start with a solid plan 

What exactly is your marketing strategy? Flyers, billboards, and mailers? Maybe you should just take a breather and come up with a targeted plan. Do you know what’s a key indicator of marketing success these days? Digital marketing and advertising. See our guide here to help start your strategic marketing plan.

• Build a website 

A good website that converts leads to client, provides practice information, helps patients understand services, and can really drive bookings in your calendar. People looking and surfing quickly through your site before leaving doesn’t bode well for business. Get their attention and keep it. 

A few tips to achieve this:

• Use a meta description to get their attention on the Google search results page. This is known as Search Engine Optimization.
• Optimize your home page and other main pages with commonly searched terms and phrases. 
• Ensure the website is mobile-friendly with an easy-to-use, intuitive interface. 

• Maximize SEO 

How do you intend to increase patient volume in a dental office if people can’t find you? The odds increase significantly with a few simple strategies. SEO is an excellent tool to increase your visibility on the search engine results page, but only when you do it right. 

Unfortunately, Google SEO seems like a bit of a slippery slope to navigate for most people. Lucky for you, we’ve got the lowdown on how to use it best.  We break it down below, but see our full comprehensive guide to SEO for dentists here

Here’s what you need to know for SEO: 

• Avoid keyword stuffing. There’s a limit to how many times a potential client can read the word “dentist” on your post before they are sick of it. 
• Avoid unnatural links or over-optimized anchors.
• Use more long-tail keywords.
• Structure your content properly. 
• Create a blog with quality articles (search engine optimized articles) that are engaging and educating. 
• Local SEO goes a long way in helping to reach people in your area.

• Social media marketing 

You didn’t think social media marketing was just for businesses with products that influencers can sell, did you? Previously, dentists would rely on reputation, credentials, and references to build up their clientele. Times have changed. 

Social media is invaluable for more than just marketing. Remember the stereotypes people have about dentists being scary? Social media is your best bet to change their minds and let them see just how wrong these impressions are. 

Also, social media can help a dentist to attract new clients, foster better relationships, and showcase their talents. It provides a great space to build up a brand.

See our full guide for social media marketing for dentists here.

Pro tips:

• Start a YouTube channel where you go beyond typical dental stuff. An office tour, a day in the life of a dentist at work, dental tips, and more are sure to keep people tuned in and likely to reach out. 
• Use a social media content calendar to organize your posting schedule and content.
• Consider outsourcing your social media marketing to a social media marketer/agency. 

• Pay-Per-Click (PPC)

Another popular digital marketing tool, PPC is an online advertising strategy where you pay each time a person clicks on an ad. 

Activating PPC on your dental website means you get to pay for an ad listing in the search results of certain words. 

A great platform for this is Google AdWords. With this, the search network is available to you. This lets you run ads that are seen on other websites, potentially helping you bring in new patients regularly. 

Start here:

• Ensure your ads are high quality. 
• Scope out the competition and use the information to improve your business, perhaps by adding more features and incentives. 
• Set a maximum cost-per-click (CPC) and a maximum daily budget to maximize this strategy. 

Remember, PPC is not SEO. Unlike SEO that drives organic traffic, PPC is paid advertising for your dental website. Note the distinction. 

• Reviews 

Your credentials as a dentist are great for making people feel comfortable around you. But there’s only so much these can do in the grand scheme of things. Do you know what makes people feel confident and sure of a product/service? Other people! 

Your dental service is a product. For most people, a positive experience from a trusted person or even a random person on the internet can be the difference between them accepting you as their dentist or going somewhere else.

Most reviews are collated by an independent platform to make it more genuine, but you can also provide a comment section for people to leave their reviews. Whatever you do, avoid using fake reviews. This could cost you your professional integrity.

See our full guide to nailing down your dental patient reviews here.

• Testimonials 

Unlike reviews which are gathered by third-party sites, testimonials are often requested by the business owner. These recommendations are also often written by happy customers detailing their experience before and after receiving your service. 

Testimonials serve to affirm the value of your work. To ask for this, you have several options including asking via email, postal mail, or even as a survey. And, we realize that it might feel a bit weird to ask a patient for a testimonial, but you should give it a try. 

Here’s how you can gather testimonials: 

• Be nice and straightforward with the request. You might even offer incentives like discounts in exchange for completing a testimonial.
• Make it easy to complete the feedback with an e-mail campaign or an incentive to  leave a review on Google.
• Tell them their input is needed and will be highly appreciated. 

If your work is good, it should speak for itself. 

Pro tip: for both reviews and testimonials, you don’t have to deal with getting or arranging them. You can employ the use of software that gathers customer or a platform that gathers customer reviews or testimonials. These neutral sites do this professionally and post on your page. 

See our full guide to nailing down your dental patient reviews here.

• SMS marketing 

Text messages are one of the cheapest digital marketing tools today, one you should definitely consider adding to your dental practice digital marketing toolkit. Engaging with patients is key in running a successful practice. 

Here’s how you might engage with patients and get them to come back through SMS:

Send reminders. Remind them of their dental appointment as a form of ‘Patient Reminders.’ You can link your reminder to a text and send it as an SMS to a patient. Remember, with an SMS strategy, you can be certain your text is received, unlike emails that sometimes get lost in a spam folder.

 Pro tip: make it a two-way channel so they can respond with questions or inquiries.

• Use direct mail marketing 

Direct mail marketing…good old postcards sent out in the mail. Because, contrary to popular opinion, direct mail marketing is still very much alive. It even has a 29% median ROI in marketing strategies, coming in a close third after email and social media marketing. 

Here are two great tips to get you started:

• Ensure your postcard design is informative but simple. 
• Use a targeted marketing strategy to ensure you send it to the right people – potential clients who live close to your location. People want to find a dentist with a clinic close and easily accessible. Give them that. 

• Get some professional help 

From diagnosing and treating oral infections to taking care of cavities and lots more, dentists are excellent at all things oral health. 

However, advertising, marketing, and bringing in clients? Perhaps not so much. 

Help is available in the form of Opencare, the platform dedicated to changing the way patients and their healthcare providers interact. We help potential patients get in touch with the right healthcare provider, their forever dentist.

From growing your patient base to managing dentist’s appointments with them, we are here to handle these. 

Dental practice management tips to help you grow your dental practice

• Automate the process

It’s often a challenge to keep track of all that happens in your clinic. Automate basic marketing tasks so you have one less thing to worry about. This will also provide you and your staff with ample time for primary duties. 

• Use customer relationship management (CRM) software 

Customer Relationship Management software is invaluable in growing your business. You can use it to manage all interactions with your patients. With this tool, you can integrate all patient data in one location making it easily accessible to you at all times. 

• Show some credibility 

Beyond the white coats and confident smile, people want to feel they’re in competent hands. Exude confidence. 

A few tips to achieve this:

• Your website should be built by a professional web designer and developer.
• All the necessary information about you should be readily available.
• Show off! An award here, a professional affiliation there, and of course, a photo with that very white coat and you’re on your way to a waiting room full of patients. 
• Partner with a trusted platform like Opencare. We only work with top-rated dentists in each location and we vet dentists on the platform to ensure that patients are getting the top care they need.

• Track your performance 

You can do this with one of the many performance tracking tools out there. You might not see the need for this until you do it. You’ll be shocked to find out which strategies are bringing in most patients.

Go ahead and figure out a way to make improvements as needed. 

Ultimately, the dental industry has a ton of great potential. As a dentist, you are definitely in the right profession. But there’s only so much you can do without patients. 

Talk about power-packed, top-notch marketing for your business! Good luck. And cheers to lots of happy patients.

The post Dental marketing strategies: Strategic ways to attract new patients appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

JUMP TO: In-office teeth whitening / Laser teeth whitening / Whitening trays & pens / Internal teeth whitening / Whitening strips / Insurance coverage / Is professional whitening worth it? / Book an appointment

You want a great smile because it makes you look better. We’re all like that. But what a great smile does even better is how it makes you feel. Unfortunately, over time, your teeth may have become stained from contact with a variety of substances like coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, or even prescription. Sometimes cavities or trauma can cause discoloration. For others, it’s simply genetics. But how much does teeth whitening cost?

Thankfully, there are loads of options available now for whitening your teeth. Some you can do at home; others are for your dentist. Whichever method you opt for, you won’t be alone! Statistics show that 38.29 million Americans used teeth whiteners in 2019. Let’s discuss.

How much does teeth whitening cost? 

The cost of teeth whitening depends on who is doing it, how, and with what. Obviously, teeth whitening in front of your bathroom mirror will cost less than in-office treatments (and probably less effective long-term). 

Teeth whitening is either external or internal. It can be done in entire arches of your mouth or more finely focused on one tooth at a time. Whitening by dentists costs an average of $300 per row of teeth. And cost will depend on how badly stained your teeth are and how white you want to go. Another consideration is that your teeth may be stained on the outside or more deeply inside, which can be a sign of a dead tooth or root discoloration. You may consider simply whitening the outside. But if your teeth are too damaged or decayed, whitening won’t cut it. In those cases, crowns or veneers will be necessary to restore your smile.

Other things that can add to the cost of teeth whitening include sourcing good quality materials, the concentration of the solution used, and pre-assessment investigations. The total cost depends on the extent of the procedure, safety measures, and associated procedures like enamel microabrasion, topical fluoride application, or a full dental examination.

What methods of teeth whitening are available?

In-office teeth whitening

Seeing a dentist will cost your more, obviously, but the results can be dramatic. External whitening involves bleaching the teeth from the outside. This is more affordable and less difficult. It often requires getting an X-ray so the dentist can see whether you qualify for safe teeth whitening. 

In-office teeth whitening procedures all follow a similar process:

First, your dentist will take note of the exact shade of your teeth as a guide and reference point. They’ll then remove any plaque on your teeth before applying the whitening agents – which usually contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. LED devices will then be used to accelerate the process. (The use of these also ads to the total cost.)

The process goes on for about an hour after which your dentist will rinse your teeth. Follow-up visits will likely be necessary too, because you probably won’t get to your desired shade in just one visit. Further treatments are recommended until you are satisfied with the results [3]. 

Average costs for in-office teeth whitening run between $650 and $1,000. 

Laser teeth whitening

This one is also exclusively for your dentist. It’s also somewhat costly, but it’s a fast and effective way to remove stains. 

Your dentist will start with an overall health assessment. They’ll take note of sensitive teeth, any allergies, and any pre-existing dental conditions (like over-exposed tooth roots) that may interfere with the process. And if you’re pregnant, laser whitening is not recommended. 

If you’re deemed a good candidate for laser whitening, your dentist may consider pre-medication if you have previously reported tooth sensitivity. Your dentist will then start by cleaning your mouth thoroughly to ensure you get the full benefits of whitening. 

The whitening agent will then be applied to your teeth and a laser used to kickstart the whitening process. The dentist cleans off that layer, repeats the cycle, and finally rinses your mouth. Like with all whitening methods, there will likely be some temporary sensitivity following the treatment. 

What price can you expect? Anywhere between $400 and $1,500. 

Whitening trays 

Ok here are some home-based options. 

Whitening trays and pens (sometimes with included toothpaste) can all be good choices. And kits like these may include LED lights to speed up the process.

Some of these over-the-counter options are good for hybrid approaches to teeth whitening. In these cases, your dentist can help with dosage and choosing a safe product. He or she may even make a custom tray for you, to optimize fit and effectiveness of this method.

The dentist’s solution may be stronger than over-the-counter teeth whitening products. You’ll be given your own tray and prefilled syringes of the whitening product. This is a cheaper and less time-consuming option than in-office whitening.

This method will likely cost you $100 to $400.

Internal teeth whitening

This method is another dentist-required one because it bleaches teeth from the inside out. (The discoloration in this scenario usually comes from nerve damage.) It costs more because the nerve of the affected tooth will be removed by a specialist before the procedure begins. The dentist will then inject the whitening agent directly into the substance of the tooth and close it off.

Internal whitening costs about $300 per tooth. Definitely pricier, but very effective in fixing discolored teeth.

Whitening strips

And of course over-the-counter whitening strips enable teeth whitening from the comfort of your home. Lots of us have tried this method, which works on most surface stains. 

To use these, peel the strip off the plastic liner and attach the gelled side to the surface of your teeth. Ensure it’s lying flat against your teeth and avoid contact with your gums. Leave on for the recommended duration and then peel off and dispose of the strip.

Some brands recommend daily use for up to two weeks. And be sure to pay attention to your teeth sensitivity and slow down if you notice any discomfort. It doesn’t feel very nice when you over-use these. You might want to avoid hot or cold drinks just after whitening – stick to room temp.

Whitening strips cost $20 to $100 per box. Each box should be enough for one or two weeks on average.

Does dental insurance cover teeth whitening? 

In a word, no. Not usually anyway. Since whitening is considered cosmetic and not medically necessary, most insurance companies do not cover costs. You may be covered for the dental exams leading up to it, but you’re on your own for the whitening. You may want to consider other ways to cut down costs. Dental discount plans are one good option.

How long does teeth whitening last? 

No method of teeth whitening is permanent. At best, you can expect whitening effects to last up to six months. And you may need more than one session to reach your desired shade and could require maintenance sessions from time to time.

That said, you can cut down on staining by staying away from coffee, black tea, and cigarettes. If you do indulge in dark-colored foods or beverages, rinse your mouth with water right after – it’ll go a long way in preventing stains. 

And of course, good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent future yellowing. Brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day to clear away plaque that can stain your teeth. You can also add an antibacterial mouthwash into your routine.

Is professional teeth whitening worth it?

In terms of safety and results, professional teeth whitening is the superior choice. More patients report a significant difference in the appearance of their teeth after in-office procedures compared to at-home whitening. This makes sense, since the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in over-the-counter whitening strips will rarely go any higher than 10%. In professional whitening, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide ranges between 35% and 45%. This means quicker results and fewer sessions.

Wondering where to get professional teeth whitening services near you?

Reach out to Opencare today! We take away the stress of finding a dentist. With our help, you can find a dentist near you. Afterward, you can book a dentist’s appointment and go in for a professional consultation.

The post How much does teeth whitening cost? appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Dental sterilization is paramount in dentistry. Most dentists’ offices share a familiar vibe, one we can only describe as “sterile.” Dentists follow strict cleanliness rules to prevent infections and diseases. As practices begin to reopen for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, dentists are stepping up sterilization protocols to ensure that your next visit will be a safe one. 

Toronto dentist Dr. Jeanie Luong says dentists need to communicate with staff and patients at every step. For patients who are nervous about coming in, “We assure them that we take the health and safety of our patients and staff very seriously and that we have taken every precaution to ensure they have a safe visit,” she says.

When it comes to regular sterilization practices, staff training, and enhanced measures, dentists do a few things to keep their offices clean and sterile.

Dental sterilization protocol 

Laws and regulations for dental practices vary across Canada, but every province and territory has a regulatory body (called a college) that licenses dentists and sets health and safety standards. Provincial colleges align their standards with local public health units and the Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee on Infection Prevention and Control (PIDAC-IPC). 

It’s a mouthful of an acronym, but PIDAC-IPC publishes best practices, recommendations and self-assessment checklists intending to prevent disease transmission in clinical offices. These practices and procedures are known as infection prevention and control or IPAC. 

Dr. Luong says guidelines for dentists are “detailed, technical and rigorous.” Staff training isn’t just a one-time deal, either—ongoing education, training and support are necessary to help staff work safely. Dr. Luong says IPAC manuals should be available in the office for staff to review regularly. 

How to sterilize dental equipment

Dentists use both single-use and reusable instruments to complete dental work. Cleaning dental equipment requires a sterilization area—every office has one, and it looks a bit like an office kitchen. 

Sterilization areas are designed to prevent cross-contamination. There are designated areas for receiving instruments, cleaning and decontamination, drying, packaging, sterilization and storage. It’s an efficient one-way workflow (dirty to clean.)

Here’s a step-by-step process of how to sterilize dental instruments: 

1. Clean and decontaminate: The dirty instruments are brought into the sterilization area in a sealed container, scrubbed, and placed in an ultrasonic cleaner, which is a container filled with a disinfectant solution that vibrates to remove any remaining debris. 
2. Package: The instruments are wrapped in kits or sealed packages, stamped with a date, cycle, and user ID sticker (for tracking and quality control). 
3. Sterilize: After the instruments are packaged, the sterilization process involves putting the instruments in an autoclave, which uses steam pressure and high heat for a sustained period, which inactivates all bacteria and viruses.
4. Test: Indicator stripes are placed into the pouches to confirm that the equipment inside achieves adequate temperature and pressure. When the process is complete, the strip changes colour. After that, a spore test makes sure no bacteria survived.
5. Storage: Once the cleaning and sterilization cycle is complete, the packaged clean instruments are stored in an enclosed area on the room’s designated “clean side.” The instruments are only retrieved and unwrapped once a patient is in the chair.

Enhanced safety measures after COVID-19

When your dentist’s office is ready to reopen, you’ll likely receive a call, email or text outlining new policies and precautions for appointments. Every dentist’s office will be different, but here are a few general things you can expect: 

• Pre-screening and temperature taking.
• Masks and hand sanitizer for the reception area/waiting room.
• Staggered appointment. This allows for minimal contact between patients and extra time for enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures.
• Enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff.
• Rinsing with a hydrogen peroxide solution before your appointment.

Dr. Luong’s dental practice created an illustrated and easy-to-read infographic to communicate enhanced safety precautions and is emailing it to patients, to give them a heads up on her office’s new procedures. Some dentists may accommodate special requests for nervous patients, such as booking the first or last appointment of the day.

“We understand if [patients] are still uncomfortable and not ready to come in, so we assure them that we are here for them whenever they are ready,” Dr. Luong says.

Communicating is key

During uncertain times, ongoing communication between dentists, staff and patients is important. For dentists, it boils down to being proactive by creating protocols and procedures, training staff, communicating with patients before a visit, and reinforcing the message through actions once patients arrive. Dr. Luong has posted their new precautions in every treatment room to encourage engagement with patients. 

“People need to know what you are doing; it isn’t enough to do it quietly without sharing your message.”

Learn more about dental sterilization here

The post Dental sterilization 101 appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Boost your immune system and practice these basic tips from an expert to protect yourself against viruses. Oral healthcare is essential to boosting full body wellness, which contributes to your immune system’s ability to fight viral infections.

The only way to prevent yourself from contracting COVID-19 is to practice social distancing, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding contact with people who may have the virus.

However, there are things above and beyond social distancing and hand washing, that can help strengthen your immune system’s ability to fight viruses like COVID-19.

Your mouth is one place that can help you ward off illnesses. Things like brushing, flossing, and the right diet are some things that contribute to good oral wellness. But, there’s more you can do to start with your mouth for whole-body wellness. To stay feeling good, it’s important to know what to do to make sure your mouth is as healthy as can be.

Here are six ways to keep your immune system strong during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Good food and drinks mean a healthy mouth and body.

If you’re stuck inside and snacking almost 24/7 – you’re not alone! Being so close to our kitchen means that it’s easy to reach for pop, beer, or a glass of wine. But before you reach for that next drink, consider that acidic drinks will erode your teeth over time. Even things like sports drinks can cause damage to your teeth. Aside from possibly harming your teeth, these types of beverages can hurt your body too. Alcoholic drinks are usually high in sugar and can lead to weight gain and poor gut health. You won’t do your body any favors if you happen to get sick, no matter what the illness is.

Alcohol is especially bad for your mouth and should enjoy it in moderation. Alcohol is dehydrating and can negatively impact your immune system. It could also affect your sleep and tempt you to eat those snacks you were avoiding! Cutting alcohol is a great way to boost your immune system to prevent COVID.

Another thing to avoid is hard foods, like crusty bread, hard nuts, candy, and chewing on ice. All these things can damage your teeth, especially if you have fillings. Stick to softer, healthy foods to boost your overall wellness and keep your teeth healthy.

Stress hurts more than just your teeth

It’s no secret that the whole world is feeling a bit more stressed these days. Whether you’re working from home, have kids off from school, or are stressed about your future, we get it. It’s common for people who feel stressed to grind or clench their teeth, especially at night. Wearing a night guard, no matter how nerdy it looks, will protect your teeth from unnecessary wear and tear.

If you don’t have a night guard and find yourself clenching your teeth or experiencing jaw, head, or neck pain, it’s important you find ways to relax. Things like yoga, meditation, and self-massaging your jaw and temples, are all things that will help your teeth and help you de-stress and unwind. There are many videos online for yoga, meditation, and self-massage, so find your favorites and practice them at least once a day.

Drink more water

Our immune systems thrive off getting enough water. Water is so incredibly important in helping your body function smoothly. Water also helps your mouth stay nice and fresh. Things like preventing illness, all the way to having great skin and hair, are all thanks to our best friend, H20.

A good rule of thumb is that you should be drinking about eight 8-ounce glasses a day, which is about 2 liters. The most popular water bottles are 500mls. If you have one of those lying around, it will take four of those bottles a day to get the recommended amount. Set a goal of finishing a bottle of water in the morning, at lunch, in the afternoon, and with dinner.

If plain water doesn’t float your boat, try lemon water, herbal teas, or other fruit infused teas. Avoid caffeinated drinks since caffeine is a diuretic, which makes you use the bathroom more and require you to drink more water. Coffee can stain your teeth, and it’s acidic, which can damage your teeth.  

If you’re stuck at home all day, you may be drinking coffee more often than usual. Try and set a daily limit and drink an extra glass of water if you enjoy a caffeinated beverage. Changing what you drink and help you prevent covid.

Quit smoking and vaping (or any other bad habits)

It’s no secret that dentists everywhere loath smoking and vaping for the damage it causes to your mouth and teeth, not to mention what they can do to the rest of your body. With more time on our hands, now is possibly the best time to quit those bad habits. Smokers are also higher-risk of complications should they contract COVID-19. This pandemic could be considered a wake-up call for those wanting to quit smoking.

It may also be a great time to practice cooking more at home, eating a healthy diet, or finally getting around to start a garden to grow some veggies. Eating better helps your oral hygiene and your immune system.

Sleep well 

Staying on a schedule can be tough during social isolation, especially if your day starts and ends at home. Good sleep is essential to overall wellness and your oral health. Studies show there is a link between lack of sleep and issues with your mouth, such as periodontitis (deep pockets between your gums and teeth that can cause your teeth to loosen and move around.)

Aim for at least 7-10 hours of sleep. A rested body is a strong body. It’s important for your overall health to make sure you’re getting enough sleep. If you’re having trouble falling to sleep, consider trying a mediation app. Avoid screen time before bed, and skip caffeine and sugar at least a few hours before you’re ready to get some rest to help your body prevent COVID-19..

Healthy mouth, healthy body

Your mouth is so much more than just your smile. Your mouth protects your body from bacteria that can cause illnesses and disease. It is a remarkable vessel that helps you get all the nutrients into your body and keep your immune system strong.

Seeing a dentist regularly can help catch oral diseases early that might impact your immune response. Make the dentist a regular part of your wellness routine.

Just like you take the time to think about how to make a dental appointment, you should also think about all the things you can do to keep your mouth healthy. All these tips will help your immune system fight and prevent viruses like COVID-19. You won’t regret it.

The post 6 ways to strengthen your immune system during the COVID-19 pandemic appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Afraid to go back to the dentist during COVID-19? Check out what measures dentists are taking to ensure patient safety while practices begin to open back up in 2020.

As more businesses get the green light to open again, many of us are feeling unsure of what our new reality is going to look like post-COVID-19 shutdown. Going to dentist during COVID-19 may be daunting. Many dental offices in North America were closed for appointments aside from dental emergencies during COVID-19. Now, dental offices around the country are getting ready to open again for regular appointments.

With all the uncertainty of our new reality, many patients are wondering if it’s safe to go to the dentist before they make a dental appointment. If you ask a dentist if it’s safe to go to the dentist, they’ll shout “DO NOT BE AFRAID!” with a big, perfect smile. Dentists have been, and are doing, a ton to ensure patient safety. Many dental offices are open for emergency care and already practicing special safety measures, while others are gearing up to open full-time and following new protocol.

Here are some of the things dentists are doing to ensure your safety during COVID-19:

1.  Offering an extremely sanitized space

The great news is, dentistry sterilization measures have already been in practice for years. You’ve likely already noticed that your dental office was squeaky clean before COVID-19. Dental offices have always been serious about dental sterilization protocol, and now with COVID-19, they’re even more stringent with making sure everything in the office is sanitized.

Dental offices have pre-existing, rigorous infection control protocols and now have even more protocols in place to keep you safe. Many offices even have a dedicated infection control officer on staff whose job is to make sure everyone is following the right steps to keep the office clean and safe for everyone.

2. Dental employees have receive special infection control training

Dentists in Ontario already follow a strict infection control protocol. In Canada, for example, this protocol is outlined by a committee called PIDAC (Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee). One of the things PIDAC does is advise public health Ontario on matters related to patient safety and infection control and provide a best practices document that ensures patient safety. 

Dentists, hygienists, and all employees working with patients receive detailed training because dental procedures are thorough and have extremely high sterilization standards. On top of that, all dental office management employees have also been receiving extra training to manage the office to prevent COVID-19. This ensures all patient spaces are safe from the waiting area and front desk, to the washrooms and the front doors.  

3. Dental instruments are sterilized thoroughly

Again, sterilization is nothing new to dentists. Patients can trust that all dental instruments are clean, since dental offices already do practice strict sterilization of dental instruments protocols for cleaning dental tools. One example is cleaning instruments and tools. In this case, everything will be put in a bag to sterilize dental kits and instruments. These bags are treated at 100 degrees Celsius under steam pressure for a prolonged amount of time. This treatment evaporates bacteria and viruses, including the one that causes COVID-19. The instruments are then marked, time stamped, and recorded so that quality control checks can take place. The instruments are not opened until a patient walks into the room.

After you leave the room, and before the next patient arrives, the room will be cleaned from top to bottom using the proper virus and bacteria killing disinfectants.  

4.  COVID-19 specific screening and prevention measures 

Dental offices are also taking new COVID-10 specific measures to ensure the safety of patients. You will likely notice increased screening for dentist appointments and temperature taking before patients arrive to make sure no one comes into the office with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. There may be things like plexiglass barriers at the front desk and operative rooms may even be sealed with plastic doors to prevent any spread of germs.

Lastly, some dental procedures might look different. For example, your hygienist will likely only do hand scaling rather than use a cavitron which vibrates to physically break off plaque so there’s less potential spray occurring from the mouth.

5.  Use of personal protection equipment

You will notice increased personal protection equipment when you go to the dentist. This ensures your safety, as well as theirs. Things like face shields, gowns, and N95 masks which have a superior seal compared to regular surgical masks will likely be the norm. As more research is done with how the virus spreads, your dentist is keeping up-to-date with what to wear and precautions to take to keep patients safe while still delivering safe and much needed dental care.

Patients may also be given masks when they walk in, be offered sanitizer before their appointment, and likely a mouth rinse with hydrogen peroxide. Going to the dentist during COVID-19 should not be something to stress about.

Don’t be afraid to go to the dentist!

Dental care is essential for your oral and overall health, so don’t shy away from getting back into the dentist chair once practices fully reopen. If you’re wondering how to schedule a dentist appointment, or what your dentist is doing to ensure your safety – just call them! Ask questions and engage if you’re feeling unsure. Dentists are experts in infection control and they’ve been doing it for a long time. All of our Opencare dentists would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

The post Don’t be afraid to go back to the dentist during COVID-19 appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

Dental marketing is, in a word, key to a dentist’s success.

It’s not about the fancy degree, that doctor of dental sciences, surgery, or medicine that takes years to earn.

Granted, proper academic training is important and can help determine who’s a good dentist and who is not. But in business, the best don’t always win. Those who understand how to attract and retain clients — how to market their businesses — succeed more often than not. Dentistry is no different in this respect.

The following is a comprehensive guide of marketing tools, from traditional strategies to website design to search engine marketing, that will help dentists thrive.

Key benefits of dental marketing

Done well, dental marketing offers a range of benefits. These include:

• Brand and practice awareness;

• Building stronger relationships;

• Finding new ways to grow your practice.

The last one is particularly important. A dentist who simply relies on clients from insurance companies could get left behind. Successful dentists, like any number of different professionals, continually find ways to evolve and attract patients. Innovative dental marketing helps ensure dentists can do this.

Incorporating digital and traditional strategies into your dental office marketing plan

This guide provides a wide scope of marketing strategies, with both digital and traditional methods detailed. Pursuing a diversified and nuanced marketing strategy will help ensure capturing patients through different channels and reaching the broadest possible audience.

Dentist Marketing Basics

First things first. Before spending thousands on a website, before cultivating an Instagram following, before investing in dental marketing books, dentists should focus on the basics.

This means providing great dental service, first and foremost. And it can also mean pursuing some simple marketing strategies, as follows.

Community involvement

Community involvement for dentists can mean joining the local chamber of commerce, sponsoring a local youth sports team, or doing some charity work.

It can also mean more sophisticated work that dentists are uniquely qualified for. Rather than just slinging soup at some random kitchen, dentists can provide low-cost or free dental services for the homeless or other disadvantaged communities, an area of vital need for these groups.

Dental directory listings

Aside from erecting a sign, securing a spot in the phonebook, and getting listed in Google (more on this in a bit), dentists are also wise to get themselves listed in as many dental directories as possible, such as the American Dental Association’s Find-a-Dentist tool, Dentists.com, and Opencare.

A patient referral system for word of mouth marketing

This can be as simple as asking patients to tell their friends and family if they like the service. A surprising number of patients will do this if asked. A good time to request the referral can be at the end of a positive appointment, provided the patient hasn’t been too heavily-sedated.

Coupons for free cleanings or discounts on pricier services like fillings or root canals can also help spur referrals.

Postcards and mailed offers

Many people only go as often as they must to the dentist. Postcards let people know when this should be, generally every 3-6 months for a cleaning. They also can be a nice way to stay in touch during the holidays or at patients’ birthdays — they can essentially provide dental marketing ideas for any month. In addition, postcards are a low-cost way to convey mailed offers.

Appointment reminders

Granted, a postcard needn’t be the only way to get a patient a reminder for their appointment. A smart dental office marketing plan can include having reception staff call each patient with reminders. Software also exists these days that ties in with point-of-sale systems that can predict when customers will need their next services.

Newsletters

Newsletters might seem a little old-fashioned approaching the midway point of the 21st century. Thing is, they still get read. And dental offices need something for their waiting areas before appointments. A simple four-page newsletter can be a welcome break from the standard magazine fare.

Marketing strategies for dental websites

Once a dentist has a few basics covered, it’s time to get a website going. Here’s how to do it and what to do immediately after.

Create a clean, professional website

More times than not, a patient’s first interaction with a potential dentist will come through their website, perhaps after a directory search or through a customer review website or search engine query. To convert this web visitor into a new patient, a dentist will need a clean, easy-to-understand website.

Building such a site needn’t be too complex. Savvy dentists might even be able to do it themselves. But there should at least be a page describing essential services, a brief biography page, and contact information.

In time, dentists can add more sophisticated features to their websites such as online scheduling, bill payment, or renewal of prescriptions.

Diversify keywords

Keyword research can help dentists to know which search terms to emphasize in their web copy, increasing the chances that patients who do searches on these terms will click on their sites. Diversifying these terms, with both high-frequency and longtail (lower frequency, but highly-specified) terms can help ensure a mix of customers.

Keep your site current with content marketing — and offer value to patients

One common web design mistake that businesses make: Investing handsomely in a new website and then doing nothing after a few months to keep it active. Search engines want to see new active on websites at least once a month. Content marketing, particularly through the implementation of an on-site dental blog is one of the best ways to keep a great website from going fallow.

Aside from offering a way to keep websites live, with superb SEO capabilities, dental blogs are also a good means to connect with customers, educating them on the latest trends impacting their oral health.

Create dental videos and market them

Text isn’t everything. Good dental websites also incorporate short videos. Dental marketing companies can help create them — anything from video testimonials to re-enactments of patient procedures to dental video logs — and then distribute these videos to other destinations around the web, such as YouTube.

Live chat

Good content can help passively convert visitors to dental websites. That said, more active web conversion tools are available these days as well. Live chat is one, with a simple application programming interface (API) able to automatically reach out to any visitor who stays on-site more than a second or two and open the virtual door to a longer conversation with an employee of the dental office.

Remarketing campaigns

Truth is, even the best dental websites won’t convert every visitor their first time through. Every potential customer, after all, follows a different buyer’s journey, some short, some long. For those taking a little more time, remarketing campaigns can be invaluable.

The way remarketing campaigns work is that code is embedded onto a dentist’s website that can track when a visitor stops by. From there, a banner display ad will show elsewhere on the web with an advertisement for the dentist, reminding the potential patient of their visit to the website.

Search engine marketing, social media, and more for dentists

Marketing doesn’t just stop at a dentist’s office or website these days. Here are a few best practices for search engine, social media, and other digital marketing strategies for dentists.

Prioritize local SEO

Less is more when it comes to dental search engine optimization. After all, most dentists’ offices probably won’t need tens of thousands of visitors beating down a path to their websites. In fact, such a metric could be a sign that something’s gone deeply wrong with one’s dental marketing company or consultant and that they might be engaging in click fraud.

Instead, the best SEO strategy for dentists emphasizes local keywords and traffic. It targets a specialized segment of local traffic, clearing out useless non-customer traffic and narrowing competition.

To this end, every dentist is wise to update their Google My Business page, helping ensure they won’t fall behind local competitors.

Google AdWords

Good marketing leads to organic web traffic. But this takes time. In the interim, a modest Google AdWords campaign of even a few hundred dollars can generate local traffic and help dentists get more patients from the web. These days, Google Ads also have tools built-in to add in location, calls, and customer reviews.

Request reviews

Many businesses have a wealth of customers who’d be happy to say nice things about them, if only they were asked. In that respect, dentists can grow their review pages, through portal sites like Yelp and in their Google business listings, by continually encouraging customers to review them.

Cultivate social media

As with near any business these days, dentists can use social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to connect with existing customers — with social media a particularly effective tool for dealing with customer service issues — to marketing to potential ones. Creating shareable images and posts can help ensure messages spread throughout social channels.

Use email marketing to stay in touch with patients

Like postcards or paper newsletters, email marketing is another tool to reach customers. Through sites like MailChimp and Constant Contact, dentists can let patients who — and this is important — consent to email contact, generally via an on-site opt-in form, hear the latest about what’s going on with the dental office and receive special offers.

App-etize!

So much web traffic these days is mobile. Dentists can capitalize on this, either by building a mobile app in-house or with the help of a consultant or dental marketing company. Apps can be used for scheduling, bill payment, and more.

Make use of dental booking appointment platforms

Many of these exist and are helpful for dentists looking to book appointments online beyond their websites. Essentially affiliate marketers, these sites bring leads in exchange for a fee.

10 mistakes: Dental marketing strategies to avoid

Beyond the list of things to do, here are 10 marketing strategies for dentists to avoid:

1. Fear: Sure, many patients might have egregiously bad dental hygiene habits. That said, dentists are smart to avoid stoking fear in their marketing materials. This is because online marketing is trending toward positive, informative, and helpful content.

2. Keyword stuffing: This went out of vogue around 2000, though unscrupulous (and clueless) marketers sometimes still recommend it.

3. Ignoring trends: What works today might not work in six months.

4. Spam: This is pretty basic — never send emails to potential or current customers who haven’t opted in.

5. Outdated website design: E.g. Flash; something that isn’t mobile friendly; anything designed more than a few years ago.

6. Online reputation ignorance: It’s tough, but anyone can say anything these days. Smart dentists stay on top of what’s written about their businesses online and know when and how to appropriately respond.

7. Getting too bent out of shape by one negative review: The flip side to No. 6 is caring way too much about one less-than-perfect review. The occasional one or two-star review is a blessing. It legitimizes all the four and five-star reviews and allows businesses to own their mistakes, a great tool for attracting new customers.

8. Purchasing social media followers: Nothing can get a social media page flagged and removed quicker.

9. Relying too heavily on one method or channel: Again, diversity is key.

10. Trying to go it alone: At the end of the day, everyone has their area of specialty. Dentists are dentists first and foremost. While it’s great when dentists have some marketing savvy, working with a consultant or firm can help take them to the next level.

Your Ultimate Guide to More Customers.

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