What's in your new patient packet?

I always remind myself that new patients don't know how good the practice is or the clinical skills are- they only know how good the marketing is. Given that, have you looked at your new patient welcome packet lately?

The new patient welcome packet is the patient's first experience with you after their intake phone call which makes managing the details very important. A new patient welcome packet can be an excellent way to build value and start a relationship before your patient walks through your door. Not only does the patient receive the medical history forms and practice information they will need for their visit, but they can get a sense of your practice personality and feel good about the decision they've made to come see you.

I just remade a dental practice welcome packet to be sent to new patients before the first visit. Here's what we included:

1. Glossy print out and bio with a photo of the dentist, team, and practice
2. Q & A sheet about what patients usually ask at the first visit
3. A "What to expect at your first visit guide"
4. 8 pages of handwritten patient testimonials that we photocopied
5. 3 pages of recent press clippings (from the PR campaign we had been running for the past year)
6. Professionally produced patient testimonial DVD
7. Medical History Form and privacy policies
8. Financial arrangements form
9. Copy of latest practice newsletter

All of these pieces were sent in a glossy logoed folder. Think about how long it would take to get through all this material. That is a lot of time for a patient to spend "getting to know you" before they enter your practice.

If you would like a FREE new patient packet critique, send an email to sarah@npressnewsletter.com