Released on: March 20, 2008, 4:13 pm

Press Release Author: The Wealthy Dentist

Industry: Marketing

Press Release Summary: Dental marketing is a hot topic for dentists. A recent
Wealthy Dentist survey revealed that only half of dentist respondents send a regular
mailing to their existing patient base. Internal marketing programs are among the
most profitable available to dental practices.

Press Release Body: A recent Wealthy Dentist survey asked dentists if they do a
regular mailing to their patient base - and dentist respondents were split right
down the middle! While 51% said it didn\'t seem worth the effort, 49% think it pays
to keep in touch.

Dental marketing is not limited to direct mail marketing to existing patients, of
course. Fully 90% of dentists responding to this survey say their dental practices
mail out appointment reminders. Only one-third report sending a regular email
patient newsletter.

Geographic location also played a particularly interesting role. Two out of three
urban dentists in this survey do regular mailings. Half of suburban dentists do.
Only one in five rural dentists reports doing so.

Dentists emphasize the importance of internal marketing programs. \"Dentists must
offer these services and make it known to their patients that they do, otherwise
patients will seek it elsewhere,\" said one dentist. \"We are not recognized by the
public and not marketed by organized dentistry! Why?\" asked a California dentist.

Many dental practices find internal marketing to be pleasantly profitable. \"Internal
marketing by far is the best bang for the buck,\" said an Illinois dentist. \"In my
well established practice, internal marketing has been successful for me,\" agreed an
Ohio dentist.

Some feel that direct mail marketing is an old-fashioned dental practice marketing
strategy. \"Postal mailings are a complete waste of time,\" declared a California
dentist. \"Patients ask us not to send them any more junk mail. This is not the
1970\'s.\"

Even dentists who find intense dental practice marketing campaigns unprofessional
appreciate the value of advertising to their existing patients. \"Most of the
marketing that is successful in the no-growth area that I live in is distasteful to
me,\" said a New York prosthodontist. \"Internal marketing to my own patients works
well and is cost-effective.\"

Some wonder if it\'s worth the investment. \"It seems necessary, but it\'s hard to tell
if it pays off,\" complained a California dentist. \"Profitable enough, but very
competitive,\" commented a South Korea dentist.

Of course, there\'s more to marketing than direct mail. \"The best advertising is
treating the patient as a guest in the office,\" said a California dentist. \"There is
nothing better than the patient being ready and financially able for treatment!\"
added another general dentist.

\"Frankly, I can hardly believe that half of dentists are not sending out regular
mailings!\" sighed Jim Du Molin, dental practice management consultant and founder of
The Wealthy Dentist. \"Internal marketing programs are among the most profitable, so
it amazes me that so many dentists are failing to keep in touch with their regular
patients.\"

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Visit http://www.thewealthydentist.com for more Wealthy Dentist survey results on
topics such as cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, sedation dentistry, dentures,
wisdom teeth, and braces. Plus, sign up for Jim Du Molin\'s free video training
program on dental website marketing.

Web Site: http://www.thewealthydentist.com

Contact Details: The Wealthy Dentist
415-435-2818
http://www.thewealthydentist.com/PR/056-Dental-Practice-Patient-Retention-Marketing.htm