How to increase the patient awareness and patient flow using a dental software program
1. Case study of dental software program in Kenya
The population of Kenya is around 55 million. As of 2020, Kenya had 1,344 registered dentists. The number of dentists in the country increased by 16% compared to 2016. Still the dentist to patient ratio is only 1: 44,000 against 1: 7000 recommended World Health Organization (WHO).
The Kenyan population suffers oral cancer that affects the lining of the mouth and spreads to the neck. Most Kenyans are slow to consult a dentist until it is too late and when the disease has spread. 95% of children under 5 suffer from gum disease. And 60% of the population has experienced tooth ache or visited a dentist.
Strong awareness program is important to bring patients for diagnosis and treatments. There is vital role for the practicing dentists in this process. This article explains how a dentist’s dental software program in Kenya can compliment in this process.
2. Role of dental software program in Kenya to increase or retain the patients
Dental software program is an essential component of any dental clinic in Kenya or any part of the world, which helps to maintain the demographic and treatment details of the patient. Though the primary duty of a dental software program is to manage the patient records, it is also can be used effectively to increase the patient flow. Some of the tools in dental software program are as listed below.
2.1. Mass messaging
Most dental software program will have mass mailing or mass messaging option. The messages may be a sent to a fresh pool of patients or it may send to existing patients. In the case of existing patients, the options are available to send a specific group based on occupation, age group, location etc. Using this mass communication, the patients can be informed about the services and benefits of Dental treatments
2.2. Marketing campaigns and effectiveness
Most dental clinic do some or other type of marking. It can do bill boards, magazine or news paper ads, referral marketing or social media marketing through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn Twitter etc. Since the dental clinic is spending time and money, it is important to track the effectiveness. A dental software program like Dentsoftware can track which campaigns are giving more results.
2.3. Recall
A routine reminder of follow up dental treatment is important for better oral health. Once any patient completes their dental treatment, they may be added to the recall list. The automated or manual reminder can alert the patient and they can come for the follow up treatment. This gives a better oral health to the patient
2.4. Waiting patients
Sometimes the patient will cancel there appointment in the last minute. The clinic will normally delete or mark as the appointment as cancelled. Waiting list mechanism will help these appointments stored into a different location so that the patient can be reminded if there is a free slot arises. This ensures that patient is not skipping their treatments
2.5. Online booking
Any social or website activity is spread the information about the clinic. Once they knows about the dental clinic, they need to take an appointment. The online appointment system help the patient to take anointment online from home or office.
3. Some of the common patient awareness methods
3.1. Social media
The surveys shows 90% of population uses social media like Facebook and Instagram. There is a 70% population using Tik Tok. The awareness message through social media can spread across the population which will increase the awareness and Dental Clinic visits.
3.2. Reminder mechanism
Using a proper dental software program which can sent reminder messages for the appointments and routine recall messages will help to increase the patient flow.
3.3. Dental camps
The dental clinics Mein contact dental camps in different locations of the country to spread the awareness and attract the patient for dental treatments
Try a dental software program from Dentsoftware. There are many more methods which you can explore