One of the most powerful ways to increase efficiency when it comes to acquiring new patients and retaining existing ones comes in the form of scheduling software. The benefits include the convenience of your patients scheduling an appointment without ever having to contact you, and at any time of day, even after hours.
Your staff will also spend less time on the phone arranging appointments, which means they’ll be freed up to handle higher-priority administrative tasks.
There is some overlap in that some dental management software companies include online schedulers, like NexHealth or Solutionreach Limelight. For the purposes of this article, however, and for the benefit of dentists who want a stand-alone product, we’ll focus on companies that specialize in scheduling.
Ideally, scheduling software will sync with your management software and update in real time, allowing prospective patients to see available times and book them accordingly.
1. Localmed
LocalMed is a software company that provides online appointment scheduling for dental practices. It was founded in 2013 by David Rainbolt and is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LocalMed has over 8,000 providers nationwide who use its platform to schedule new patients. The platform is available on both desktop and mobile devices and allows 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 and a premium plan that offers additional features.
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
- Saves dental practices time and money
As 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 with a basic plan that is free for dental practices and a premium plan that offers additional 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!” So, make it simple for patients to book appointments with your dental practice using LocalMed.
FAQs:
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: By offering marketing tools such as a patient referral program, a social media scheduler, and a lead generation tool, LocalMed helps dental practices attract new patients.
Q: Is LocalMed suitable for small dental practices?
A: Absolutely! LocalMed is designed to cater to dental practices of all sizes, making it a great option for small practices as well.
Dental Website Design Services with Free Integration with Your Practice Management Software.
2. Zocdoc
- A well-known and trusted brand, but one for all types of doctors without specialization in dentists.
- Patients can see your schedule and request an available time slot, but you’ll need to manually transfer that to your management system.
- Displayed from your Zocdoc profile
3. Flexbooker
- Has a customizable 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
- Allows you to schedule recurring appointments, which is ideal for more complex procedures and the resulting follow-ups.
- Allows your staff to manage their own schedules for in-office scheduling reflected across the practice.
- Telemedicine ready, with Zoom integrations available.
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
6. Booksteam
- In addition to automating scheduling for your practice, Booksteam allows you to incentivize new patients by offering them promotional pricing and packages.
- Accept online payments.
- Integrates seamlessly into social pages like Facebook.
7. PatientPop
- Gives your office the ability to communicate with patients via text and to disseminate surveys
- Automated appointment reminders
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 in need of 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
Which of these options you go with could very well depend on the management software you currently use and what integrations are available.
HIPAA compliance
Of course, it’s always important to ensure that your patient’s medical information is secure. If you’re selecting a scheduling service that caters to medical and non-medical businesses, ensure they are HIPAA compliant and that patient security is a priority. Check O360’s HIPAA Services.
Patient experience
Features like after-care surveys can provide powerful insights, and it’s an automation that might not seem useful for scheduling at first glance.
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 more than one location, be sure the scheduling software you go with allows your patients to specify which office they would like to visit.
Overall thoughts
Depending on the size of your practice and how many patients you’ll want to service, one of these scheduling software is sure to be ideal for your needs.
By implementing an online booking option for prospective patients, you open yourself up to those who cannot call during regular business hours due to their own work schedules.
Fully integrated options that read and write back to your management system will be more expensive, but given the amount of time it will save your staff, the value may be worth the added cost.
See examples of dental websites that are compatible with all these scheduling programs.
