Do you remember when your dentist gave you a sucker after your appointment? I do. I loved Charm Pops and going to the dentist was the only time I ever got one. Getting to pick out a grape one after my appointment made me feel special and helped take away the anxiety of having to go in the first place. (I feared having a cavity and having my teeth pulled.)
The other night I returned to my hotel room following a banquet to find a Lindt chocolate on my pillow and the bed turned down. While many consider such touches to be old fashion, I find them quite nice. The simple touch was a nice surprise coming back to the room after a long day.
I understand why dentists don’t give out sugary candy after appointments anymore. A bit self-serving and not exactly a promotion of good oral health, but there are other ways to add a special little touch to one’s dental experience to make the trip more special. (I friend and co-advisor in a youth group I work with likes to call this “specialer”.) So, the goal is to design a dental experience that is “specialer” so patients feel good about their visits and time spent there. When a “specialer” experience is achieved patients refer more family and friends about how great their experience was, which translates into growth for the practice. And, the best part is creating a “specialer” dental experience only requires little touches – remember the Charm Pops and Lindt chocolate.
