best ways to market dental practice for children?

Answer 1

word of mouth

Answer 2

Market your services through networking with local dentists. There are many who simply do not want to treat pedo patients. Even if they consider themselves to be a "family practice," they might not be interested in treating a 3 year old with nursing bottle syndrome. I send one or two kids out per year, but I enjoy treating most kids. Some dentists don't even treat kids under 8 or 10 at all. From this patient base, your practice will grow.

There is SOME marketing benefit from participating in projects like GKAS, but that's really only through related publicity in the newspaper. Don't count on building your practice from those who actually avail themselves of the GKAS program.

Do the speaker's tour in the local nursery schools. Let the teachers know that you are available for a 10 minute presentation on diet and hygiene and send home a small bag with a pedo toothbrush and your card, if you don't have those bags with your name printed on them. Have the teacher invite parents to the talk and be sure that you save at least an extra hour to answer the parents' questions after you're done with your talk.

I am not a huge fan of the Yellow Pages, but it makes sense to buy a little white space around your name and include the fact that you offer dentistry for children and handicapped. Don't junk up the ad with a hundred things that you do the same as every other pedodontist. Just accept the fact that there are going to be some parents who say, "I wonder if there are any dentists just for children in my town," and then let their fingers do the walking. I think parents want nothing but the "highest line" of care for their children, so don't make your ad look like one that is better suited for a used car lot. You might also pay extra to be included in those lists of specialties so people can quickly find you if you are in their neighborhood.

Networking with dentists and then word of mouth will be the best, though. It might be slow growth, but it is solid growth.

Answer 3

I know of a dental place that is very kid friendly. They have decorated walls, music etc. If you make a point in your dental practice being kid-oriented, I bet it would get a lot of attention. You could create an on-website or place an ad in the yellow pages. Many people look at these sources to find a dentist. You could have books and toys in the waiting room. Hire people who have experience with children, as this will make parents feel more comfortable.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Advertise in your local news paper, New pedodontist in town.