It’s difficult to overstate how important customer service is to the viability of a modern business. After all, how your current customers perceive your operation won’t just determine your immediate success but can also affect your ability to attract new consumers too. And dentists in particular need to be aware of this fact. A few negative reviews from unsatisfied patients can tarnish even the most prestigious practice. With that in mind, we’re here to provide a few solutions to one of the biggest pain points in the dentist-patient relationship: the waiting room. Here are five ways you can completely revamp your dental office waiting room –– and delight rather than irritate your patients:
Create a Home Away from Home
Sparse, cramped waiting rooms are going to put your patients in a bad frame of mind before you even get started. While it’s easy to recommend purchasing new furniture and artwork for your practice, it’s more important to create a comforting atmosphere with those purchases. Updating old tacky chairs with new tacky ones isn’t going to improve the vibes in your waiting room. Instead, seek out furniture you’d like to see in your own home.
Set a Timer
People hate waiting, but they especially hate waiting when they don’t know how long they have to wait. Proactive dentists can alleviate this issue by creating a digital schedule that shows the itinerary and wait times for their patients. Alternatively, you may want to consider setting up automated text updates to let patients know how much longer their wait will be. This will allow your visitors to plan their stay with you more effectively and reduce some of the stress of waiting for an appointment.
Have Something Special for the Kids
Think modern kids are going to be satisfied with a few old magazines or a box action figures from the ‘90s? Think again. If your practice caters to families (or children specifically) be sure to set up an area where kids can stretch their legs. What’s more, it’s important to provide adolescent visitors with media that will actually attract their attention. Multiple TVs or iPads loaded with games and tethered to seats are great ways to entertain kids on their first trip to the dentist.
Compartmentalize
Since it’s a wise play to set aside an area for children, it’s also a smart idea to provide space for busy professionals. People are always trying to work on the go so think about installing desks where visitors can set up their laptop and work during their wait. If you do this, you’ll likely win the respect (and patronage) of the business community.
Encourage Staff Interaction
Don’t hide your team members behind the curtain. Rather, lay out your waiting room in a way that’s conducive to employee-patient interaction. The more personable your space is, the more enjoyable your visitors’ experience will be.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to break the bank to transform your waiting room from drab to fab. In many instances, having a plan and executing it well matters more than how much capital you have to shell out. Plus, if you contact the Key Interiors team, we’ll show you how to get the most bang for your buck and optimize your space for the best results possible. For more information on how we ensure your project will stay under budget and on schedule, check out our free eBook here:
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