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Question: “Dr.
Arnold, why do so many dentists have websites these days?”
Answer: It
seems as if everyone has a website today. Many businesses
use websites to sell products or provide information. Dental
websites have become very common over the past five years
because they can serve many purposes.
I have had a website for about three years, and I can’t
imagine managing my practice without it. It serves as a
place where existing and prospective patients can find out
more information about my team, my practice, the services
that we provide, and countless other items of interest.
There are even links to other dental websites that might
be of interest to patients.
My practice website includes
video clips from public appearances, past “ask the
dentist” columns, and questionnaires for patients,
as well. I feel that a website can facilitate communication
with current or future patients. Additionally, it should
help educate people about their oral health and the latest
advances in dentistry.
Additionally, many dental websites
enable patients to download new patient forms, view photos
of the office, see examples of the dentist’s work,
find answers to frequently asked questions, and learn information
such as office hours and location. We live in the “information
age”, and a dental website gives people an extraordinary
opportunity to collect a great deal of information about
their current or prospective dental team.
A dental website
should be an extension of the particular practice, its
team, and its dentist. The goal of my website is to give
people an accurate picture as to what they can expect when
they come in for an appointment. It is important that the
website convey the appropriate information necessary for
people to decide whether or not we are the right dental
team for their needs.
Practice websites also allow consumers
the opportunity to compare one office to another. Many
people do their research for different products and services
online. In fact, online research seems to increase every
year, which will ultimately make dental websites even
more important then they are currently.
Many dentists have
particular areas of interest or niches which describe
the types of services that they most enjoy providing. A
website gives them an opportunity to showcase these services
or provide much more information on topics of interest to
the public.
Finally, a dental website is a wonderful way for
existing and prospective patients to communicate with
the doctor and his or her team. A patient can e-mail a question
or concern to the doctor or team member at any time,
without having to wait on hold or call during office hours.
The doctor or team member can then promptly return the e-mail,
making the entire communication efficient and complete.
Dr. Jim Arnold is a practicing dentist in Chesterton and Valparaiso. He is also a clinical mentor with the Hornbrook Group and serves on the Advisory Board for the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics as the Fellowship Chairman. You may send questions to his office at: 1830 South 11th Street, Chesterton, IN 46304 or email them to: drarnold@SmilesByArnold.com. More information on this or many other dental topics can be found at www.SmilesByArnold.com.
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