Open All Hours | Dental Blog

I am still surprised by the amount of times I telephone dental practices at lunch time to be met by an answer machine. If you have read my articles over the years, then you will know how I find this bizarre, as you could potentially be missing out on new clients. This is the only time of day when many people can undertake their private business. I’m not suggesting you keep your Practice open 24/7 but here are a few things you can do to avoid missed opportunities

A while ago I was delivering a programme in my Training Centre for one practice, for two days. After the first day, a Tuesday, they wanted to have a team night out and asked me for a recommendation for somewhere to eat. I suggested my local pub, which always serves good food and has a great atmosphere. I telephoned them to make a reservation, only to find that the call went straight to an answer machine which did not even have its own personalised message. So I contacted another pub, equally as good, except this time I got straight through and of course that is where I made my reservation for 15 people. My local missed out on a booking of fifteen people on a Tuesday night, which is probably one of the slowest nights of the week, because they did not answer the telephone. Pretty basic stuff you would say?

I do know of a few practices who also answer their telephones after work hours. The team adopt a rota system so the practice telephone number is connected to a mobile telephone. They are finding that they receive calls from new clients making enquiries about their services. They will put on their website that they are open for telephone calls after work hours and guess what happens – they do get them. If you think about it most people do their internet surfing between 8.00pm and 10.00pm.

I also know of practices who will have their telephone answered by a 24 hour answer service. They will answer your calls on your behalf, take a message and then will text and email you the message for you to deal with at your leisure. Although it is not ideal, at least it is a person answering the telephone and not a machine. When you telephone anyone and they don’t answer, do you leave a message? I very rarely do.

I use such a company who can be reached at www.answer-4u.com. Like I said, it’s not the same as you answering the phone, but at least it is a person answering your telephone. I have secured business after work hours on many occasions.

Although I am not preaching that you should open all hours, you need to be aware that, with a little imagination, you can still operate flexibly and pick up new clients after work hours.