Dental Marketing: Dentists Torn over Patient Mailings

United States of America (Press Release) March 20, 2008 -- A recent Wealthy Dentist survey asked dentists if they do a
regular mailing to their patient base - and dentist respondents
were split right down the middle! While 51% said it didn't seem
worth the effort, 49% think it pays to keep in touch.

Dental marketing is not limited to direct mail marketing to
existing patients, of course. Fully 90% of dentists responding to
this survey say their dental practices mail out appointment
reminders. Only one-third report sending a regular email patient
newsletter.

Geographic location also played a particularly interesting role.
Two out of three urban dentists in this survey do regular
mailings. Half of suburban dentists do. Only one in five rural
dentists reports doing so.

Dentists emphasize the importance of internal marketing
programs. "Dentists must offer these services and make it
known to their patients that they do, otherwise patients will
seek it elsewhere," said one dentist. "We are not recognized by
the public and not marketed by organized dentistry! Why?"
asked a California dentist.

Many dental practices find internal marketing to be pleasantly
profitable. "Internal marketing by far is the best bang for the
buck," said an Illinois dentist. "In my well established practice,
internal marketing has been successful for me," agreed an Ohio
dentist.

Some feel that direct mail marketing is an old-fashioned dental
practice marketing strategy. "Postal mailings are a complete
waste of time," declared a California dentist. "Patients ask us
not to send them any more junk mail. This is not the 1970's."

Even dentists who find intense dental practice marketing
campaigns unprofessional appreciate the value of advertising to
their existing patients. "Most of the marketing that is successful
in the no-growth area that I live in is distasteful to me," said a
New York prosthodontist. "Internal marketing to my own
patients works well and is cost-effective."

Some wonder if it's worth the investment. "It seems necessary,
but it's hard to tell if it pays off," complained a California dentist.
"Profitable enough, but very competitive," commented a South
Korea dentist.

Of course, there's more to marketing than direct mail. "The best
advertising is treating the patient as a guest in the office," said
a California dentist. "There is nothing better than the patient
being ready and financially able for treatment!" added another
general dentist.

"Frankly, I can hardly believe that half of dentists are not
sending out regular mailings!" sighed Jim Du Molin, dental
practice management consultant and founder of The Wealthy
Dentist. "Internal marketing programs are among the most
profitable, so it amazes me that so many dentists are failing to
keep in touch with their regular patients."

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Visit http://www.thewealthydentist.com for more Wealthy
Dentist survey results on topics such as cosmetic dentistry,
dental implants, sedation dentistry, dentures, wisdom teeth,
and braces. Plus, sign up for Jim Du Molin's free video training
program on dental website marketing.