The world has come a long way since the telegraph.
We've seen exponential growth in technology because of the speed at which we can now communicate.
Our lives have been filled with more choices than ever before.
Anyone in the dental industry must ask the question; why do when the majority of people in North America have an email address, dental offices rely mostly on the telephone for communication? Let's first compare the use of a telephone vs email for means of communication.
A telephone allows for instant feedback on the message being sent.
It also gives both parties the chance to interact simultaneously.
While email can have delays in feedback, it allows both the sender and the receiver to communicate on their own schedule.
Email can reach the desk beside you or the other side of the world all within seconds.
Although interaction between parties can be delayed, it is becoming the preferred method for communication.
Email has saved companies thousands of dollars when compared to using the telephone.
The cost of sending an email is the same whether it is sent to your neighbor or across the world.
Conversely telephone usage can cost hundreds of dollars monthly.
While email is not appropriate for every message you want to send, it lends itself well to the needs of a a dental office.
Messages that can be dealt with in a reasonable amount of time such as scheduling appointments and newsletters are perfect examples.
Highly secure information should not be transmitted through email.
Credit card numbers, banking information or trade secrets are examples of information that should not be passed by email.
Pictures of friends and family, event registration forms, and appointment reminders are items that you can safely email.
Dental offices have the opportunity to use email in a multiple of ways to increase productivity and decrease costs.
Many offices use email internally with staff members and as a form of communication with their patients.
Inter-office email usage can be used to communicate work schedules, upcoming promotions and even employee concerns.
Co-location offices are able to benefit even further with email by easily connecting with all employees.
To allow inter-office email exchange it is best to give each employee a personalized email address.
The power of email can be used with patients and vendors of dental offices.
Considering a fair sized office will have a few thousand patients on file, the potential of return on investment is substantial.
Many, if not most patients would prefer to be emailed non-critical information.
Using email with patients shows respect for their busy lifestyles and ultimately increases their satisfaction with the dental office.
Email communication with patients may easily be directed through the front-end staff.
This allows patients to know exactly where and whom to email, as well as keep an organized procedure within the office.
This one email should be posted on the company website, business cards and any marketing material.
Dental offices have a special need to confirm upcoming appointments with patients.
By doing this appointment no-shows are decreased.
The most popular method of confirming these appointments is by using the telephone.
This is a tedious and repetitious task which can be easily automated with the use of email.
Combining the benefits of automation and email, both the dental office and patients profit.
Not to mention that an appointment reminder is a prime message to be transmitted through email.
The initial setup procedure for a dental office requires a very small investment.
Simply, it is a matter of obtaining an email address and setting up an email software to get started.
In summary, dental offices should take a serious look into email as form of communication.
It is convenient for staff, doctors, and patients.
Email can save time and money for offices.
So start using email today! Cameron Chenier is the owner of ConfirmByEmail ( http://www.
ConfirmByEmail.
com ) and specializes in email uses within the dental office.
ConfirmByEmail is an automated appointment reminder service.
We've seen exponential growth in technology because of the speed at which we can now communicate.
Our lives have been filled with more choices than ever before.
Anyone in the dental industry must ask the question; why do when the majority of people in North America have an email address, dental offices rely mostly on the telephone for communication? Let's first compare the use of a telephone vs email for means of communication.
A telephone allows for instant feedback on the message being sent.
It also gives both parties the chance to interact simultaneously.
While email can have delays in feedback, it allows both the sender and the receiver to communicate on their own schedule.
Email can reach the desk beside you or the other side of the world all within seconds.
Although interaction between parties can be delayed, it is becoming the preferred method for communication.
Email has saved companies thousands of dollars when compared to using the telephone.
The cost of sending an email is the same whether it is sent to your neighbor or across the world.
Conversely telephone usage can cost hundreds of dollars monthly.
While email is not appropriate for every message you want to send, it lends itself well to the needs of a a dental office.
Messages that can be dealt with in a reasonable amount of time such as scheduling appointments and newsletters are perfect examples.
Highly secure information should not be transmitted through email.
Credit card numbers, banking information or trade secrets are examples of information that should not be passed by email.
Pictures of friends and family, event registration forms, and appointment reminders are items that you can safely email.
Dental offices have the opportunity to use email in a multiple of ways to increase productivity and decrease costs.
Many offices use email internally with staff members and as a form of communication with their patients.
Inter-office email usage can be used to communicate work schedules, upcoming promotions and even employee concerns.
Co-location offices are able to benefit even further with email by easily connecting with all employees.
To allow inter-office email exchange it is best to give each employee a personalized email address.
The power of email can be used with patients and vendors of dental offices.
Considering a fair sized office will have a few thousand patients on file, the potential of return on investment is substantial.
Many, if not most patients would prefer to be emailed non-critical information.
Using email with patients shows respect for their busy lifestyles and ultimately increases their satisfaction with the dental office.
Email communication with patients may easily be directed through the front-end staff.
This allows patients to know exactly where and whom to email, as well as keep an organized procedure within the office.
This one email should be posted on the company website, business cards and any marketing material.
Dental offices have a special need to confirm upcoming appointments with patients.
By doing this appointment no-shows are decreased.
The most popular method of confirming these appointments is by using the telephone.
This is a tedious and repetitious task which can be easily automated with the use of email.
Combining the benefits of automation and email, both the dental office and patients profit.
Not to mention that an appointment reminder is a prime message to be transmitted through email.
The initial setup procedure for a dental office requires a very small investment.
Simply, it is a matter of obtaining an email address and setting up an email software to get started.
In summary, dental offices should take a serious look into email as form of communication.
It is convenient for staff, doctors, and patients.
Email can save time and money for offices.
So start using email today! Cameron Chenier is the owner of ConfirmByEmail ( http://www.
ConfirmByEmail.
com ) and specializes in email uses within the dental office.
ConfirmByEmail is an automated appointment reminder service.
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