Targeting Patients with Dental Fear
Dental fear is a real challenge for so many patients and dentists alike. Patients who fear the dentist are usually the ones who need care the most, and dentists often struggle with how to help them set aside their fears to get the treatment they require. Thankfully, with more information widely available to the public and the option to use digital media as an educational tool, dentists have more opportunity than ever before to help their patients understand their fear and overcome it.
Post like there’s no tomorrow
The absolute best way to show patients that they can overcome their dental anxiety is to post as much digital content as possible, not just about getting over fear, but also about the people at the practice and the practice itself. In fact, content of any kind builds rapport with potential patients even before they make initial content. It also puts a face on the practice, which feels warmer and more personal to a patient who might otherwise be afraid of a clinical setting.
Use every available channel
Blogs, emails, videos, and social media posts all work for educational content and can target new or existing patients. The flexible nature of these media makes them excellent for conveying information about the practice, the people at the practice, the patients who go to the practice, the types of procedures the dentists perform, and what the practice does to cater specifically to patients with fear or anxiety. Videos, social media posts, and emails are all easy to personalize when targeting a specific type of patient.
A video is worth a thousand pics
With videos in particular, the practice’s compassion can really shine through and help put patients at ease. Videos can showcase patients who experienced dental fear in the past and are now more comfortable getting treatment because of the amazing care they received at the practice. They can also feature different team members talking about everything they do to put patients at ease. A virtual tour of the practice is another way that video can help nervous patients feel more comfortable because it takes away some of the “unknown”, which can be a big part of what is holding them back.
Hitting the target
For practices seeking to help more patients overcome their dental fear, Google Ads work well as a targeting mechanism. An ad aimed directly at patients who are more fearful can link to a landing page with information about the practice’s special techniques for reducing anxiety. Not only does this educate any patient who clicks on the ad, but it also feels very personal because it resonates directly with that patient and addresses their issues with fear.
While dental fear is not likely to go away, it’s safe to say that most dentists are highly interested in helping to alleviate it in their patients as much as possible. It is sad to see patients go without essential care out of fear or anxiety. Educational digital content and targeted ads can go a long way towards persuading fearful patients to override their fear and get the treatment they need.
