Let’s address the elephant in the waiting room: How to get more dental patients that have time (And Actually Show Up) (And Actually Show Up) dental patients who schedule appointments but “don’t have time.” You know the drill (pun intended). They’re either ghosting your reminder calls or “forgetting” their appointments because, oh no, life is just so busy. Spoiler alert: Everyone’s busy. But that doesn’t mean you can’t fill your chairs with patients who value your time as much as their own.
So, how do you attract patients who actually have time for their teeth? Easy—you flip the script. Let’s dive into strategies that will get your schedule humming with patients who prioritize oral health and your practice.
Why Time-Pressed Patients Avoid You (And How to Fix It)
Before we solve the problem, let’s get real about why patients claim they “don’t have time”:
- Dental Care Isn’t Top of Mind: For most people, teeth aren’t a priority until something hurts.
- Inconvenient Scheduling: If your office hours look like a 9-to-5 banker’s schedule, you’re missing out on busy professionals and parents.
- No Incentive to Commit: If patients aren’t financially invested in your practice, they’re more likely to cancel or ghost.
The Fix? Offer Convenience, Value, and a Reason to Stay Loyal.
Translation: Your patient experience needs to be so good that even the busiest people can’t resist making time for their next cleaning.
Strategies to Get More Dental Patients Who Actually Show Up
1. Launch a Membership Plan (So They Commit with Their Wallet)
Here’s the deal: When patients join a membership plan, they’re invested. Literally. They’re paying monthly, which means they’re way more likely to prioritize their appointments.
With a solid membership plan:
- Patients pay a predictable monthly fee, so they’re not worrying about big surprise bills.
- You get recurring revenue (a win for your bottom line).
- They’re motivated to get their money’s worth, which means fewer no-shows.
Example: Patients paying $40/month for a plan will make time for that cleaning because skipping feels like wasting money. And nobody likes wasting money.
2. Extend Your Office Hours (Hello, Evening and Weekend Warriors)
Want to attract busy patients? Make your practice work on their schedule.
- Evening Hours: Perfect for professionals who can’t sneak away during the workday.
- Weekend Appointments: Ideal for families juggling school, sports, and sanity.
Patients with packed schedules will love you for accommodating their lives instead of forcing them to rearrange everything.
3. Focus on Attracting Membership Patients (They Value Your Time)
Membership patients are your dream patients. Here’s why:
- They spend 2.5X to 5X more than PPO patients annually.
- They’re loyal—they stick around because they’re invested in the relationship.
- They say yes to treatment without the drama of insurance limits.
Use marketing strategies like SEO, PPC, and social media to target uninsured patients who are ready to commit to a membership plan.
4. Automate Reminders (Because Forgetfulness Is Not an Excuse)
Let’s face it: People forget stuff. But that’s where technology saves the day. Use tools like Weave or BoomCloud™ to:
- Send automated reminders via text, email, or carrier pigeon (okay, maybe not that last one).
- Offer online scheduling for ultimate convenience.
- Make rescheduling super easy—so even if they can’t make it, they’ll book a new time.
5. Create Irresistible Offers (Because Everyone Loves a Deal)
Want to get new patients through the door? Run promotions that appeal to busy folks who need an extra nudge.
- Free Whitening for New Patients: Who doesn’t want a brighter smile?
- Membership Discounts for Families: Encourage parents to sign up the whole gang.
- Flexible Payment Plans: Make dental care affordable and accessible.
Case Study: How BoomCloud™ Helped 7 to 7 Dental Crush It
7 to 7 Dental wanted to attract patients who would actually commit to regular care. They launched a membership planusing BoomCloud™ and scaled to 2,200 active members paying $45/month.
Here’s the Breakdown:
- MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue): $99,000.
- ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue): $1,188,000.
- Patient Loyalty: Membership patients showed up on time, spent more, and referred their friends.
By pairing their membership program with digital marketing, 7 to 7 Dental attracted patients who not only had time for their teeth but also invested in their care long-term.
Final Thoughts: How to get more dental patients that have time (And Actually Show Up)
If you want to attract more dental patients who have time, the solution is simple: Create an experience so good that even the busiest people can’t say no. Launch a membership plan, offer flexible hours, and leverage tech to make appointments a breeze.
With tools like BoomCloud™, you can build loyalty, boost recurring revenue, and grow your practice with patients who prioritize their oral health—and your practice.
Stop chasing flaky patients. Start building a thriving practice filled with patients who actually show up. Your schedule (and your sanity) will thank you.
