One of the best ways to improve efficiency in getting new patients and keeping current ones is online scheduling software. The benefits include the ease with which patients can schedule appointments independently. They can do this anytime, even after hours, without contacting you.
Your staff will spend less time making phone appointments, allowing them to focus on more important administrative tasks.
There is some overlap in that some dental management software companies include online schedulers, like NexHealth or Solutionreach Limelight. In this article, we will focus on companies that specialize in scheduling. This is for dentists who want a stand-alone product.
Ideally, scheduling software should work with your management software and update in real-time. This way, potential patients can see available times and easily book them.
1. Localmed
LocalMed is a software company that provides online appointment scheduling for dental practices. David Rainbolt founded the company in 2013, and it has its headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Over 8,000 providers nationwide use its online scheduling software to schedule new patients.
The platform is available on desktop and mobile devices, allowing patients to book appointments 24/7. LocalMed also offers a variety of marketing tools that help dental practices attract new patients. LocalMed is a freemium service with a free basic plan for dental practices. Additional features are available with a premium plan.
Key Features of LocalMed:
- Real-time online scheduling
- Integration with practice management software
- Marketing tools to attract new patients
- Free for dental practices
Benefits of using LocalMed:
- Easy for patients to book appointments online
- Attracts new patients to dental practices
- Improves patient satisfaction
- It saves time and money
Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” So, why not make dental appointments easier for everyone involved?
What Sets LocalMed Apart?
- Over 8,000 providers across the United States use LocalMed
- Available on both desktop and mobile devices
- Patients can book appointments 24/7
- Freemium service offers a free basic plan for dental practices and a premium plan with extra features.
LocalMed’s Marketing Tools:
- Patient referral program
- Social media scheduler
- Lead generation tool
Remember, “You don’t have to brush all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep!” This tool makes it simple for patients to book appointments with their dental practice using LocalMed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can LocalMed integrate with my current practice management software?
A: Yes! LocalMed integrates seamlessly with most practice management software, ensuring a smooth transition.
Q: How does LocalMed help attract new patients?
A: LocalMed helps dental practices attract new patients. It offers marketing tools such as a patient referral program and a lead generation tool.
Q: Is LocalMed suitable for small dental practices?
A: Absolutely! LocalMed is made for dental practices of all sizes. It is a great choice for small practices, too.
Dental Website Design Services with Free Online Scheduling Software Integration with Your Practice Management Software.
2. Zocdoc
- It is a well-known and trusted brand, but one for all types of doctors without a specialty in dentistry.
- Patients can view your schedule and ask for an open time slot. However, you must manually enter that into your management system.
- Displayed from your Zocdoc profile
3. Flexbooker
- You can customize its plugin widget to match any website’s design.
- Automated email and text reminders.
- Includes wait lists if your schedule is full and alerts them when space opens up.
4. Setmore
- The built-in scheduling tool allows you to provide better customer service by scheduling recurring appointments. This is an ideal online scheduling software option for more complex procedures and the resulting follow-ups.
- Easily accessible management tools let your team members manage their own schedules, which helps with in-office scheduling across the practice.
- Telemedicine ready, with Zoom integrations available.
- Payment options are available through integration with payment gateways like Square and Stripe. The payment processor also accepts credit and debit cards linked to your patients’ bank accounts.
5. Cliniconex
- Automated patient reminders and notifications to better engage with patients and decrease the likelihood of no-shows
- Patient surveys to gain insights into patient satisfaction and needs to improve customer support.
6. Booksteam
- Booksteam automates scheduling for your practice and helps attract new patients. You can offer them special prices and packages.
- Accept payments online and via mobile app.
- Integrates seamlessly into social pages like Facebook.
7. PatientPop
- It gives your office the ability to communicate with patients via text and disseminate surveys
- Automated appointment reminders with online scheduling software
8. Legwork
- Implement two-way texting with patients for direct communication
- Automatically syncs your availability from your dental management system and reduces gaps in your schedule.
- Customizable paperless forms
9. Apptoto
- A basic but useful option made for any type of business needing scheduling.
- Fully customizable two-way messaging with automated appointment reminders via text, email, and voice.
- Daily reports to your inbox
- Integrates with common calendar systems if you’re not using management software like Google, Outlook, or Office 365.
10. SimplyBook.me
- An online booking system that offers a free option for practices just starting out.
- Accepts appointments through integrations with Facebook, Instagram and Google.
- Automated reminders and notifications for patients and staff
Other things to consider…
Integrations
Your option may depend on your management software and the available integrations.
HIPAA compliance
Of course, ensuring your patient records are secure is always important. When choosing online scheduling software for medical and non-medical businesses, ensure it is HIPAA compliant. Patient security should be a top priority. Check O360’s HIPAA Services.
Patient experience
After-care surveys can give valuable insights. This automation may not seem helpful for scheduling at first.
Flexibility and customizations
Will your option allow prospective patients to select appointments for specific treatments? Will the software allow you to customize for longer time slots to accommodate more complex procedures? If you have multiple locations, ensure your online scheduling software lets patients choose their preferred office.
Overall thoughts
The right online scheduling software depends on the size of your practice and the number of patients you want to serve. Choose one that fits your needs.
Adding an online booking option for new patients helps those who cannot call during regular hours. Many people have work schedules that make it hard to call.
Fully integrated options that read and write back to your management system will cost more. However, the time saved for your staff may make this extra cost worthwhile.
See examples of dental websites compatible with each online scheduling software listed.
