We’ve seen these digitally rendered splotches before, but what are they, how can you get one, and what can it possibly have to do with running a successful dental practice?

We will most likely continue to see these mobile-friendly bar codes as our cell phones, mobile phones, smartphones…or whatever your preferred nomenclature for these ubiquitous – and sometimes publicly annoying – devices that will soon become our number one way to access this metastasizing thing we call the Internet.

First things first…

What is a QR code?

QR stands for quick response; the code part enables you to implant your digital dental practice footprint into the mobile-enhanced digital information superhighway of your local constituency.

A QR code stores information about your dental practice; you implant the info there too.

Then you distribute said QR code in newsletters, direct mail pieces, business cards, basically patient communications; and ipso factor, you are amongst the growing community of technologically savvy and socially available SoLoMo connected dental practices out there.

You see, you implant whatever important practice info you’d like to communicate into the code. Then you implant the code into your patient’s mobile phones.

The implantation into the patient’s phone occurs when people scan your specific QR code (from whatever communication you’re delivered) and see the important dental health info you aim to communicate.

How are we doing with all of this implant talk, do things make sense?

You could direct people to sign up for blog, follow you on Facebook, hang on your every dental Tweet, or simply use technology to connect with your dental practice in a more convenient way.

Did we mention this technology is also incredibly popular…like cell phone popular.

QR codes not only afford you another avenue to open communication with your patients and local community; properly implemented QR codes can also allow your increasingly mobile patient constituency to digitally connect with each other.

And then connect that all back to your digital dental practice footprint…and ultimately your comfy office chair.

How to Get One?

By simply downloading a (FREE) reader application onto our mobile phones, we can then scan any QR code and see the quick results.

So, as a dental patient we need a reader to view the info stored in our favorite dental practice’s QR code.

As a favorite local dental practice owner, you need to generate a code so that you can communicate whatever message it is you’re looking to send.

New patient specials, elective services discounts…whatever message you’re looking to send.

To generate a QR code for your dental practice, you can search for any QR code reader online, hook up with one free by confirming your Bing Local listing, or check out this site that supposedly ranks some of the best QR readers.

Here’s a quick easy (FREE) site you can at least play around with to generate your own personal dental practice QR code: qrcode.kaywa.com – you can get a free reader there too.

Now go read this: (there’s a special message inside)

What can you do with it?

QR codes can communicate your website URL, social media identities, geo-location coordinates, even dental discounts and promotions. Basically the code can communicate whatever message you wish to send to your existing or new patients.

Just like you’d use direct mail or a radio spot to broadcast your dental practice information to the local community, a QR code enables you to do the same thing.

The goal is connecting and communicating better with your existing patients to improve patient retention, and reach new members of your local community to increase new patient acquisition response.

Unless of course you don’t lose any patients, and you have all the new ones you can handle.

If that is the case – in this economy, keep your secrets to yourself. And forget about silly little QR codes, the lecture circuit awaits!

If you’re not that lucky dental practice, whatever message you wish to send through your practice QR codes will probably evolve, change, or expire.

That’s ok, and all part of the process. Getting your hands dirty by first doing the research then generating the code, your mind will already be spinning with ideas to incorporate into your social local mobile digital dental practice marketing plan.

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