COVID-19 Resources for Dentists
Social Dental Network
We want to do our part in supporting our member dentists, and the dental community across the world to assist you in any small way during what is the first global pandemic most – if not all – of us have ever experienced.
This page is a work in progress, our aim is to arm you with actionable patient communication, retention & acquisition information during the widespread office closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At this time we are not listing anything related to clinical operations, because we are not experts in that area – you are. And the professional associations you belong to are, listen to them.
We’re here to help you communicate, retain, and eventually acquire new patients.
Patient Communication, Retention, & Acquisition Resources
You might not think now is the time to acquire new patients, but by effectively communicating with your existing patients you are in effect laying the groundwork to acquire new patients when your operations come back online – however that looks.
Furthermore, we have members who are actively advertising for emergency cases right now.
Not because they’re greedy or even opportunistic – because they are serving their communities.
According to a 2020 survey by Doctor.com:
- Patients now rely on online resources nearly 2x more than they do referrals. The use of referrals to find a provider has declined by 44% since 2018.
- Consumers rely on online resources nearly 2x more than they do word-of-mouth referrals.
- Before making an appointment, patients say doctor ratings are the #1 factor influencing their decision.
- Nearly half of patients would decide not to book an appointment with a provider who had incomplete listings information online.
COVID-19 Resources for Dentists
If you have a question or something to contribute, please call, email, or reach out to us on social media.
We will continue to grow this resource center as new information, guidelines, best practices, and tools become available.
Just click on the “+” sign to expand each section, the links to the materials are highlighted in blue.
ADA® Resources
- ADA® “COVID-19 State Mandates and Recommendations – Interactive Map.” This state-by-state list and interactive map help clear up the confusion with the latest updates on recommendations and mandates in your area, as well as how they impact the dental profession.
- “Return to Work” Toolkit – American Dental Association (April 27, 2020)
- COVID-19 Resources for Dentists via the ADA® – Social Dental Network newsletter (March 20, 2020)
- Sample Letter to Patients – American Dental Assocation (March 18, 2020)
AAO® Resources
- American Association of Orthodontists (AAO®) “Serious About Your Health“ one-sheeter. Handout or display communication piece outlining safety & protection protocols and FAQs by patients. (April 21, 2020)
- “Social Media Toolkit” – AAO® (April 21, 2020)
- “My Orthodontist’s Office Has Reopened. Is It Safe to Go?” – blog post (April 21, 2020)
Social Media Posts & Patient Email Templates
- Patient email, blog & social media templates (more to come)
- Practice social media images (click to download a zip file with 59 image posts, more to come)
- Google My Business: Easily create custom social posts and printable posters to let customers know about COVID-19-related updates. Start your business marketing kit.
- How many reviews do you have out there & what’s your average rating? Free Review & Reputation Scan by Smile Reports™
- Social Dental Network Newsletter (March 15, 2020) – Coronavirus concerns — we’re here for you –
- Join our Facebook Group: New Patient Acquisition & Retention Facebook Group
Practice Management Resources
- Small Business Support Kit – Constant Contact (May 1, 2020)
- SBA Emergency Loans + Paycheck Protection Program Info – Social Dental Network newsletter (April 1, 2020)
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How Dentists Can Claim Their Portion of Google’s $340 Million In Ad Credits (blog post, April 15, 2020)
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Businesses affected by COVID-19: Guidance on updating info and temporary closures: Healthcare providers have new “info links” available in Google My Business for COVID-19 and telehealth. (April 27, 2020)
- Google My Business:
- Change your business hours → goo.gle/39jx11F
- Update your listing → goo.gle/39jKoza
- Share a post with customers → goo.gle/3dD5dJl
- Mark your business as Temporarily Closed → goo.gle/2Jo5a5T
- A great video from Dr. David Rice of IgniteDDS in the early days of widespread practice closures: https://youtu.be/fY1xgpdfm2k (March 17, 2020)
- “Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.” – Social Dental Network newsletter (March 17, 2020)
Digital Marketing Intelligence
- The Impact of COVID-19 on Google My Business Listings – via Reputation.com
- Social Dental Network Twitter Polls:
- What are you doing now, or what do you plan on doing when you re-open, to ensure the health and safety of your staff & patients? (April 30, 2020)
- If #dentists were to administer #COVIDー19 testing, do you think patients would feel more comfortable or less comfortable returning to the office for normal visits? (April 22, 2020)
- Have you applied for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) or Paycheck Protection Program Loan (PPP)? (April 22, 2020)
Communicate. Retain. Acquire.
What We’re Doing Now
We are monitoring the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) situation closely and are available to work with you to ensure you meet the needs of your patients & communities – as well as provide for the health and safety of your staff.
We realize this health situation has already been disruptive to many dental practices across the world and wanted to share what we’re doing to support our clients and our team members.
To ensure that you are supported we have taken specific steps as part of our business continuity plan.
These steps include:
- Activating Live Chat on our website – 24hrs a day.
- Enhancing member notifications & account profile communications.
- Agile restructuring of content publishing schedules.
- Deployment of updated Facebook Messenger Prompts & Communications.
- Real-time publishing of operating changes, hours, news & updates – to Google My Business & Facebook.
- Working closely with our partners to make sure we have additional equipment and supplies to take care of employees, and by extension, our clients.