3 Reasons Why Touchless Communications Benefit Your Patients and Your Staff
By Dr. Greg Grillo
Touchless communications didn’t start in 2020. But COVID-19 amplified the appeal, demand, and implementation of smart tools in every industry. In healthcare, an explosion of telehealth visits highlights the trend. And 83% of patients expect to continue using virtual visits after the pandemic fades.
The world’s changed in more ways than we can count.
History shows that companies that improvise, adapt, and overcome don’t just survive tough time, they thrive. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, recently announced the company would repeat their recessionary strategy of investing in their business, people, and products to come out more vital than ever. While it may be challenging to do the same in times of uncertainty, adopting a similar philosophy sets your practice up for success.
You may not currently feel like investing in the latest imaging technology or CAD-CAM system. However, careful investments in tools that meet rapidly emerging trends can pay dividends now and in the future.
Touchless communications fit more than ever. And they check all the boxes for implementation that makes sense in 2020 and beyond. Here’s why:
1. Available Now
Many upgrades in your office take time to integrate. If you’re considering a new CBCT machine, you’ll take a few steps to get there. After researching, ordering, financing, installation, and training, you start to see the benefits. But it may take a little time before patients become aware of the value.
In contrast, touchless communication tools designed for dentistry start working right away. Digital solutions don’t require new equipment or lengthy order times. With just a few clicks, your office can put a suite of high-value systems to work that immediately benefit your staff and patients.
2. Highly Desirable
Consumer psychology continues to evolve in today’s environment, and the long-term effects of 2020 remain uncertain. One survey showed that 50% of people are working from home, and 48% intend to maintain new health and wellness habits over the long-term.
At a minimum, patients will continue to value businesses that align with innovating ways of managing time, scheduling, and health. Spending more time on their laptop than ever before, a new patient likely values the ability to complete intake paperwork from the same place, offering familiarity and convenience in helping them take charge of their wellness.
3. Uber-Efficient
Digital tools make our lives more efficient, causing most of us to turn to our phones to accomplish all types of tasks. For example, 78% of consumers use mobile devices to connect with brands for customer service. Every barrier your practice removes increases efficiency on both ends of the line.No-touch communication tools go beyond pop-up screens that display patient information when a call comes in, although that must-have capability helps decrease patient frustration by eliminating hold-time. But creating a complete workflow that frees up your staff’s time and facilitates patient engagement offers a winning model for everyone. From two-way texting to online appointment booking , increased efficiency flows with touchless communications.
Take a Hands-off Approach, Starting Today
Touchless communication involves examining every touchpoint in your practice and determining the best way to reduce contact, increase efficiency, and boost satisfaction. The task may sound overwhelming. But with the right tools designed for dentistry, it can be one of the most straightforward innovations you introduce.
To learn more about a comprehensive no-touch communication suite that you can implement now, download our free eBook , The Legwork Guide to Touchless Dental Communications .