I am currently in the dental hygiene program, and have to have 65 patients. How can I find patients?

Question

I am currently in the dental hygiene program, and have to have 65 before graduation. We have to find our own patients. The clinic offers a 50% discount to all college students as well as takes just about any insurance plan. However, I am new to the area and do not know very many people. How can I find patients?

Answer 1

Advertise. Place an ad in the newspaper. That's what my classmates and I did. At least we had a receptionist in the college who took messages for us. We also had access to voicemail.

Approach strangers in the college and ask them. I found it was a very effective way to find patients.

When I was in school, I had to pass a provincial practical exam in order to obtain my license. I paid both of my patients (the selected patient and my back-up) $75 to show up for that appointment. I didn't need to use my back-up patient because my first patient showed up, but someone else used my back-up because her patient was a no-show. If your patient doesn't show up you don't get your money back for the exam fee. Then you have to make a second attempt a couple of months later and pay the fee again. It was worth it to pay patients who were willing to be my exam candidates.

I also did something sneaky and I don't regret it. The college just started charging patients for a cleaning and the system was unorganized. I used that to my advantage. They never checked up on who paid the fee and who didn't. All you had to do was sign their chart claiming they paid. I signed all of my patients charts even though none of them paid and I was never caught.
It's easier to find patients when they get a free service.

Answer 2

I would print out some business cards. Some stores will let you pin them up to a community bulletin board, plus you can give a few to each patient you do find to share with their friends and family. You should have them rolling in in no time. Discount dental cleanings are a big draw. :)

Answer 3

Perhaps you could talk to local schools and see if a class or two could set up something for the students as a trip and to get their teeth cleaned. (Of course, parents would have to come and all that jazz)
Make up fliers that explain that your in the hygiene program and tell about the discount. Put the fliers up at the nurses station and in rec rooms at local colleges.
Put fliers up at the post office bulletin board, grocery stores and carry outs.
If all else fails, do like my friend did and buy their gas to come!!
Best wishes!

Answer 4

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO PAY PEOPLE TO BE YOUR PATIENTS. EVEN IN DENTAL SCHOOL IVE HAD TO PAY TO HAVE PATIENTS, BUT GETTING THE DIPLOMA IS THE KEY.
AS FAR AS PATIENTS OFFER FREE ADS AT GROCERY STORES, ETC. TO FIND PEOPLE.

Answer 5

Try advertising in newspapers, internet, and anywhere that many people would be interested in.