“I’ll take ‘things that don’t mix well’ for $500, Alex.”
I kid, but the truth is that children often have a tough time at the dentist. It’s a strange environment with lots of sharp implements lying about—it actually makes a lot of sense they’re leery of hanging out there.
Some kids are worse than others, but there’s almost always a way to get them to cooperate for the minimum amount of time you need. You just have to get a little creative.
Float a reward.
Kids don’t just hate the dentist because it involves sitting still while someone sticks metal in their mouth, they also dislike the fact that there’s nothing in it for them. I mean, they sit tight for half an hour, endure fluoride treatment that never tastes good (no matter the flavor), and at the end of it they get… a sticker? A new toothbrush and a miniature tube of toothpaste? No wonder so many of them put up a protest.
So how about upping the ante? Maybe one of those toy gumball machines that spits out superballs and sticky hands?
Is it an investment? Sure. An investment in your sanity.
Speak to their pride.
Rewards are great, but sometimes you need to try a different tactic.
Every kid has someone they look up to and want to be like. It doesn’t matter if it’s a big sister, an older friend in the neighborhood, or even good ol’ Dad.
And for some kids, all it takes to get them to be brave at the dentist is knowing their personal hero was also brave. If they really want to be treated like their big sis, then they need to act like her. If you can get that person they look up to to come along and act as a cheerleader, even better.
Distract them with screens.
Screens are the ultimate distraction tool for children. They hear the opening jingle of their favorite cartoon and they’re like moths to a flame. In large doses, screentime is probably not the healthiest thing for young kids, but you only need to keep them busy for half an hour or so.
So what are your options? Stick a massive TV on the wall? The trouble there is that the kids are going to get grouchy the moment you ask them to turn their head or otherwise obstruct their view.
There is a way, however, for you to spend less money, give the kiddos a better viewing experience, and keep everyone happy and distracted.
Well, not you. You should be paying attention.
Regardless, the name of this wonderful invention is the Molar Media Mount, and it’s been tried, tested, and found true by dentists around the country. The Molar Media Mount is a simple yet effective attachment to your existing dental light. It holds a tablet the size of an iPad Mini or Kindle Fire HD, which—thanks to its arm joints and ball and socket attachment—can be easily repositioned at nearly any angle.
So no matter how difficult your 11 o’clock patient is today, you can rest easy knowing they’ll be too distracted to even think about biting your fingers. Again.
]]>But it wasn’t always this way. Dental equipment has come a long way since blacksmiths were yanking teeth with pliers the size of tennis rackets. In fact, there are a number of innovations that have been true game-changers for our profession.
Here they are, in no particular order:
Patients may think that the high-pitched whirr of a dentist’s drill is one of the more terrifying sounds imaginable, but that’s only because they haven’t heard the sound a belt-driven drill makes. That’s right, before the invention of the air-powered drill in the 1950s, dentists relied on a motorized, belt-powered drill that ran at about 20,000 rpm. For some perspective, the new air-powered models do something like 400,000 rpm.
So, next time you’ve got someone fretting about a root canal, just remind them that there was a reason their grandparents were known as The Greatest Generation. That’s right, it’s because of the dentistry they endured.
The only thing worse than taking a belt-powered drill to a molar is doing it without some Grade-A anesthetic.
And for quite some time—like up until the late 19th century—your only options were to get your patients liquored up or use opium. Not ideal. However, both ether and nitrous began to be adopted in the late 1800s. Novocaine was discovered in 1904, followed by lidocaine in 1943. In combination with the success of general anesthesia in medicine, these breakthroughs made going to the dentist much, much less frightening - for both us and our patients.
Fluoride is basically your patients’ dental guardian angel. They don’t know it’s there, but it’s doing them a real solid. In fact, the fluoridation of our drinking water has been called one of, if not the, most effective public health measures of the 20th century. It’s cheap, equitable, and incredibly effective at preventing tooth decay. Every time you see a patient with a mouth full of pearly whites, you can go ahead and tell them to thank their DGA (dental guardian angel), fluoride.
If you’re like most people, you probably thought that dental chairs always reclined. But the 19th and early 20th centuries were wild times to be alive. Dental chairs were initially just rocking chairs propped backwards, and the modern design, with a break between the back and seat of the chair, didn’t appear on the scene until 1958. This version, which also allowed us dentists to sit, became wildly popular, and it’s the model for what we all use today. Truly, WWII and the post-war years were a golden age in dentistry.
Okay, okay, so perhaps it’s not #1 on this list when it comes to lives changed, but it’s definitely #1 in our hearts.
And the Molar Media Mount is a game changer. No more expensive TVs mounted at weird angles on your walls and/or ceilings. No more kids who can’t sit still through a cleaning. Instead, they’re entertained by whatever is on the iPad Mini, Kindle Fire HD, or whatever similarly sized tablet you attach to the Molar Media Mount.
Maybe it won’t save as many teeth as fluoride, but it is way more fun than an air-powered dental drill.
]]>And honestly, it makes sense. Going to the dentist is one of those things that everyone knows they should do, but it’s pretty easy to skip a cleaning or two when you get busy. People tend to assume their brushing and flossing is getting the job done. No harm, no foul.
Of course, we know differently. Regular cleanings can remove stains, help prevent gum disease, and even detect oral cancer and other health issues early.
The problem is that surveys have shown that many people put off dental care in the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not surprisingly, few people wanted to go somewhere and hold their mouth open for an extended period of time in the presence of other people while a pandemic was raging.
But it’s time to get those patients back in the fold. Here’s how you can do it!
1. Point out the stats.
Early in the pandemic, many dental offices closed entirely for anything short of an emergency. It just wasn’t clear how they might contribute to the spread of the virus, and closing or reducing hours made sense. But since then, it’s become clearer that you’re actually not very likely to get COVID-19 in a dentist’s office. Far from it, actually. Back in October, the ADA reported that less than 1% of dentists had gotten the virus.
2. Flex those vaccine numbers.
If you and your staff are vaccinated, let your patients know! Dentists and dental hygienists are classified as essential healthcare workers and should have had early access to the vaccine. It doesn’t hurt to remind your patients that while you and your staff are taking all kinds of precautions in the office, you’ve also (likely) been vaccinated for quite some time. Sharing that information can ease the minds of patients who have been on the fence about getting back into the dentist’s chair.
3. Show off your safety protocols.
One of the reasons the ADA noted for the low rate of covid infections among dentists last fall was the rigorous safety protocols in place at dental practices. Masks, gloves, protective eyewear, and sterilization routines have all contributed to a low risk for infection at the dentist office. A lot of practices have taken tremendous steps to help keep their patients safe—and you should communicate that clearly to your patients.
4. Snag some HoverShields.
Safety protocols are one thing, but some people need something solid to convince them to get back in the dentist's office. Something solid and clear. And acrylic. Yep, we’re talking about the HoverShield. It attaches directly onto the end of a Molar Media Mount and provides a safe, durable, and see-through barrier between you and your patient’s mouth. You’ll enjoy the splatter guard; they’ll feel safer knowing there’s an added layer of protection between the two of you.
Don’t have a Molar Media Mount? Pick one up today and bundle it with a HoverShield!
And each of these offices is unique, reflecting something of the personality and thought process of the dentist inside. After all, you chose this location, so something about it appealed to you. Today, we’re going to hop into our armchair, pop open our Intro to Psych book from freshman year and find out what the different types of dental offices say about the person who chose them.
Let’s get started.
1. Business Park Complex
You live in the suburbs, drive a Toyota to work, and are rarely late. Your practice runs like a well-oiled machine and your patients have been with you for decades. You are the epitome of a professional, preferring to reside next to other similarly upright professionals in your office park. Come for the dentistry, stay for the accountant’s office on the second floor.
2. Strip Mall
Your practice is positioned between a Gold’s Gym and a Panera Bread. The price per square foot is excellent and you’ve managed to wrangle a gym membership discount for all your employees—plus bagels every Friday. It may not be the fanciest location, but you let the haters hate while you steadily rack up free coffees on your rewards card.
3. High Rise
You got into this dentistry thing for the lifestyle, and baby, you’ve made it. Your patients enjoy stunning views of the city, though they frequently take the elevator to the wrong floor or turn up in the law practice next door. The cost of parking downtown for you and your team would pay your child’s college tuition, but you wouldn’t change a thing. Some things are just worth it.
4. Repurposed 1800’s Victorian
Look, we know options are limited in the historic district of town. An updated office building would ruin the whole “gaslight district,” old-timey aesthetic the city council is going for. The location is perfect, the 70-year-old wiring is not. You tell customers to bundle up in the winter because heating this drafty old building costs an arm and a leg. However, you live on the second floor and there is something to be said for rolling out of bed and performing a root canal five minutes later.
All dental offices have a little something that makes them unique. But what doesn’t change from practice to practice is the equipment you use. Regardless of what your office looks like, a Molar Media Mount will always be able to attach to your dental light. Patients are patients everywhere, and they all like to be entertained. Attach your Molar Media Mount, pop in an iPad Mini, Kindle Fire HD, or similar sized tablet, and you’re ready to go—whether you’re posted up in a high rise or rocking the strip mall office.
]]>Seriously, if you haven’t seen the show, you’re missing out on some serious period piece drama. Though, as much as we love the show here at Molar Media Mount, we can’t help but notice it’s not entirely on point with its historical accuracy.
We’re talking, of course, about the lack of dental horror stories in the first season.
You see, even though crucial plot points revolve around bare-knuckle boxing and fistfights in gentleman’s clubs, there is exactly zero dental action in the show—an oversight we’re sure you find equally galling.
In case you were unaware, the 19th century was not a great time for teeth. Dentistry was still in its infancy, and no one really knew how to treat infections or other illnesses. A lot of progress was being made, but it’s hard to call a time when a dentist’s tools would probably consist of a hand-powered drill and a big pair of pliers a golden age of science and medicine.
That being the case, we went digging for some of the hot, steamy 1800s dentistry tidbits that the Bridgerton writers decided to leave in their first drafts.
1. “Dentists” were often just blacksmiths or barbers. These moonlighting “surgeons” operated without modern standards of cleanliness, and thousands of people died from infection after their work was done. In fact, the first dental college in the world didn’t open until 1840.
2. Extraction was pretty much the only remedy. Tooth decay? Extraction. Toothache? Let’s yank it. Sore jaw? Let’s get several. They were doing what they could, but the fixation with pulling teeth in the 19th century definitely plays into the ongoing trope of the dentist’s office as a chamber of horrors.
3. Anesthetic was still in its infancy. Nitrous oxide and the more powerful ether both came into use in the mid-1800s, but weren’t widespread until much later in the century. Fun Fact: One of the first experiments with ether was considered a failure after the patient cried out during surgery. Heuristic for a good anesthetic: the patient does not yell, “Hey, I can feel this!” after it’s been administered.
4. Toothbrushes were made from animal hair. While sometimes it was horsehair, it was often pig bristles!
5. Jane Austen hated it. Nuf said.
Fortunately, modern day dentistry has figured out anesthetic and the pliers have gotten, like, way better. Even more exciting, dentists now have entertainment options to offer their patients - like the Molar Media Mount, which allows patients to watch their favorite shows (Bridgerton!) during their visit. Simply pop the Mount onto your existing dental light and you’ve got a maneuverable attachment that can handle an iPad Air, iPad mini, Kindle Fire HD, or any other similar sized tablet.
Then just press play. You can start warming up the drill while they’re distracted.
]]>However, those boundaries aren’t always explicitly laid out. Sometimes, you’re just hoping the other person “gets it.”
For instance, you don’t want patients showing up in your living room at 3 a.m. with a toothache, just as your patients would probably prefer it if you didn’t surprise them at home with a drill and pliers. But neither of you say this to each other directly. You just sort of imply it and hope for the best.
However, hope is not a strategy.
Which means we’re all forced to rely on our gut instinct about where and how to draw healthy boundaries. And sometimes, even the best of us go a little overboard.
With that in mind, we wanted to share some of the worst ways to draw healthy boundaries with your patients—and what you can do instead.
Don’t:
“Forget” patients’ names and other personal information.
Some dentists may pride themselves on remembering names, family details, patient history, etc. While this is an excellent way to grow your practice, it also has the potential downside of leading patients to believe you’d like a closer relationship. To keep them at arm’s length, certain boundary experts might advise you to “accidentally” let the wrong name slip when you walk into the room. For children, you might be told to regularly forget what grade they’re in now to help the parents understand that you will never be more than a cold and distant presence in their child’s life.
Instead,
Keep them distracted.
If you’re worried about unwanted attention, then maybe your best bet is to divert that attention while you’re in the room. With a Molar Media Mount, you can easily set up a tablet like an iPad for your patients to watch while you do your thing. After an episode or two of Parks and Rec, they’ll barely remember why they came in in the first place.
Don’t:
Keep a dedicated spreadsheet for ensuring a patient never gets the same dental hygienist or room twice in a row.
Will this keep your patients from getting comfortable in your practice? Sure. Will instructing your receptionist to answer half your incoming calls with “Dewey’s Pizza, what can I get for ya?” and insist you are a deep-dish pizza parlor sow confusion and distrust among your patients? Absolutely. However, these are drastic measures that should be taken only in the most extreme of circumstances. Otherwise, you risk having to buy a pizza oven instead of a Molar Media Mount.
Instead,
Use a HoverShield.
The best barrier is a physical one. After all, psychological tricks will only stop so many people. And they won’t stop any viruses or bacteria. That’s why the HoverShield is literally the best way to establish healthy boundaries with your patients. It allows you to see your patients in person, even during a pandemic, and keep everyone safe at the same time. The clear, acrylic barrier quickly attaches to your existing Molar Media Mount and protects you and your staff from any stray splatter while you work with patients.
Professional boundaries matter, but you don’t have to resort to subterfuge to enforce them. Get yourself a Molar Media Mount, a HoverShield, and a Netflix subscription, and you’ll be just fine.
]]>The reason is simple: when you’re using a Molar Media Mount to distract patients with their favorite show or movie, you don’t want to overpromise. Telling a small child you’ve got their favorite cartoon ready for them, only to realize Netflix has pulled it when you try to start streaming, is a horror story waiting to happen.
Netflix is still (for now) the king of streaming, so we decided to give you a preview of what you can expect in March and avoid any unpleasant surprises:
What’s Coming To Netflix in March:
March 1st
March 2nd
March 3rd
March 4th
March 5th
March 9th
March 10th
March 11th
March 12th
March 15th
March 16th
March 19th
And, here’s what’s leaving:
There you have it—remember that My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Friendship Games will no longer be in your arsenal, and you should be okay. And if you need a way to show Lego Marvel Spiderman: Vexed by Venom (or anything else) to your patients, then pick yourself up a Molar Media Mount. They’re crazy maneuverable, easy to install, and most importantly, pretty darn cheap compared to mounting a TV in every room.
Happy watching!
]]>Unless they’re working from home, practically everyone is rocking some type of mask for most, if not all, of their work shift. Dentists, of course, are one of the few professions dealing exclusively with the mouth, aka the place from which virus particles spew.
It’s not ideal, to say the least. Thankfully, there are plenty of measures that can be taken to decrease the risk of infection while at the office, perhaps none more effective than the aforementioned mask.
We like to keep things light around here, so we decided to create a handy ranking of the best masks for your dental practice. Note: this list is based on personal experience and observation—your mileage may vary.
Anyway, let’s get to it.
Pros: Good for protecting you from flying teeth. Can also double as your Halloween costume when October rolls around. Usually fits over an N95.
Cons: Not all patients consider Jason Voorhees, DDS to be their ideal dental provider.
Pros: Unbeatable warmth, especially when your partner has “accidentally” set the thermostat five degrees lower than it should be… again.
Cons: Many patients report finding the mask “intimidating” and tend to write unflattering Yelp reviews. Does not pair well with an N95. Also, you can’t wear it to run errands on your lunch break. The people at the bank are especially touchy, for some reason.
Pros: Exudes a distinctive devil-may-care attitude. Can be worn over N95 or any other mask.
Cons: Falls down every two minutes. Loses a lot of utility once you start leaning over patients and they have a clear line of sight to your mouth.
Pros: Pairs well with scrubs. Can fit over an N95. High level of comfort second only to ski mask.
Cons: Not washable. Limited colors. Has quickly replaced “empty tall-boy beer can” as the world’s most littered object.
Pros: Classic design with clean lines and best-in-class protection from viruses.
Cons: Haven’t had an acne breakout in 10 years? Wear one of these bad boys every day for eight hours and you’ll be back in business in no time!
--
In all seriousness, while you may be able to guard what’s coming out of your mouth, your patients, obviously, have to have their mouth open wide. And despite our (hilarious!) blogging tendencies, at Molar Media Mount, we take the dangers dentists face right now seriously. That’s why we created the mountable HoverShield, a clear acrylic barrier that adds a second line of defense to your already-strong mask game.
If you already own the Molar Media Mount, you can just buy the HoverShield attachment! If you are a new customer, you can purchase the Molar Media Mount/HoverShield combo, which can be configured to hold either the HoverShield OR an iPad, to keep your patients distracted… er, entertained while you work. It’s a win-win.
Pick one up today, and most importantly, stay safe out there, everyone.
]]>For kids and adults with special needs, a trip to the dentist can be terrifying.
And it can be almost as anxiety-inducing for the patient’s parent or caregiver.
It’s human nature to try and avoid situations that cause us stress or fear, but dental care is just as important for special needs patients as it is for anyone else. As dentists, we have a real responsibility to help make those appointments as stress-free as possible, so that these patients and their caregivers don’t end up procrastinating or even avoiding dental checkups altogether.
In my own practice, I’ve found that taking the following steps can make a real difference, and so I’d like to share them with you.
The more you know about a patient’s special needs, dental history, fears, and preferences in advance of the appointment, the better you’ll be able to create a comfortable environment right off the bat for him or her. For example, if music and a waiting room full of other patients make the experience too uncomfortable, you can schedule the visit during a slow time, and turn off the music – or play the patient’s favorite song to create an even more welcoming atmosphere. Taking steps to proactively counter any previous negative experiences will go a long way towards assuaging fears.
It’s also a great idea to invite the patient in for a friendly tour of your practice a few days before their appointment, if possible. You can introduce staff, show them around the space, and even let them see what different tools do. If you do it just right, you may even end up getting the patient excited about the upcoming exam, instead of frightened!
The key to a comfortable and successful checkup for a special needs patient is flexibility. Take your time while working, and be prepared to take frequent breaks, whenever your patient needs a moment. Though it might seem like a good idea to minimize time spent in the chair, trying to ‘get it over with’ quickly isn’t the best approach to building trust and comfort.
Of course, one of the best ways to make a dental visit less stressful is to make it fun! From video games in the waiting room to a goodie bag on the way out, we dentists are already pretty good at pulling out all the stops. But it can be hard to find a way to make the actual exam fun – until now, that is. With the Molar Media Mount attached to your dental light, your patients have a tablet in their line of sight no matter what procedure you’re performing - and allowing them to choose a movie or show to watch from an app like Netflix is the perfect way to distract them while you work.
I can tell you from personal experience, in my own practice, having the ability to stream a familiar favorite makes a world of difference in the comfort level of my special needs patients. And every bit of comfort we can provide to make the experience a positive one for them is worth it, in my opinion.
]]>Pretty soon, kids nationwide will be donning their brand new duds, grabbing their still-clean backpacks, and heading out the door for that first day of school.
But first, they’ll be visiting the dentist.
The impending start of the new school year is the cue for moms everywhere to say, Darn! I completely forgot about getting my kids’ teeth cleaned this entire, months-long summer, in which I had plenty of time and opportunity to schedule appointments! Now, I’ll need to take out my panic on the dentist’s receptionist and browbeat her into squeezing my kids in, the same week that everyone else in my entire town is doing the same thing!
Of course, we’re not complaining about the extra appointments (well, okay, maybe we are a little bit) – it’s the hit to office morale that really gets us during this time of year.
Dealing with one reluctant, panicky, or even downright hostile kiddo after another takes a toll on everyone in the office, from the receptionist to the hygienist to the dentist.
But at Molar Media Mount, we’re here to help.
We’ve put together a list of ideas for cajoling those patients into behaving, and boosting office morale during this busy season – so that both your patients and your staff can head into the fall with only a minimum of emotional trauma.
So, quick – it’s not too late to stock up before back-to-school season is over! Grab yourself a few Molar Media Mounts today.
]]>
Practicing Your Standup Routine
Well, you definitely have a captive audience, so it’s understandable that you want to practice a little before you hit the Laugh Factory this weekend. The thing is, the fixed-jaw chuckles you’re getting aren’t very genuine. They’re coming from a terrified place, as your patient tries to decide what the odds are that you’re one of those crazy dentists from the movies. Also, your “oops” joke will never be funny.
Puppet Show
Children love puppets, you may be thinking. I can just wrangle one of hygienists into performing a puppet show for them, probably by promising her Friday off. This is seriously off base. Children 20 years ago loved puppets. Unless your puppet is holding a smartphone, any kid over the age of four isn’t going to be interested. You might as well put a pet rock in their goody bag.
Posters
Every dentist has a few posters on their walls or their ceiling. This should never be thought of as a viable solution for distracting patients. How long does a poster distract the average person? I don’t know but it can’t be over 10 seconds. Even when you’re spotting the differences or finding the hidden toothbrushes in the picture. Posters say, “This is literally the least I could do for you.”
Your VHS collection
Listen, we appreciate the effort here. You propped a TV on a little desk in the corner because at the time wall-mounted TVs were a dream. It probably has the VHS player attached to the bottom. That’s cool, but even children know when they’re being played. They have better picture quality on their Gameboy, and they also don’t understand why you have a limited selection of movies when they have access to pretty much every movie ever made at home. You’re getting warmer, but you’re still not there yet.
These are all pretty ineffectual ways to distract patients while you’re working on their teeth. But the best way is with a Molar Media Mount. The guy with a TV is on to something, but there’s probably no way his patients can comfortably watch it. Plus, unless he has the greatest movie library of all time in his dental office, patients are going to be pretty disappointed in the selection. But the Molar Media Mount solves these problems. It clips onto the dental light and pivots so that patients always have a clear view. And because it uses a tablet, you can stream whatever movie or show your patient likes.
So pop over to our store right now and grab a Molar Media Mount for your dental office - your patients will thank you!
]]>
Anyway, at Molar Media Mount, we’re all about making dentists’ lives a little easier. There are some great blogs and forums out there for dentists to use, so we thought we’d share them with you.
New Dentist Blog
Becoming dentist is hard enough, but once you’ve finally graduated it’s not all downhill from there. New dentists face a variety of problems—from work-life balance to hiring or dealing with payment. The New Dentist Blog is specifically made for dental students and new dentists, meaning anyone who graduated from dental school less than 10 years ago. This blog is part of the American Dental Association, and was created to be the voice of new dentists. Chances are there’s some support for anything you might be struggling with.
Dentaltown
Dentaltown is a forum for dentists that allows you to post your own work, ask questions, poll other dentists for the answers, and generally interact and mingle with dentists from all over the country. Once you sign up you’re ready to ask for and give guidance, depending on what you have to offer. Forums can be a nice break from blogs because they give you a chance to put in your own two cents and get some responses back.
DentistryIQ
This site is an incredibly comprehensive resource for all dental professionals. It has advice and blogs for not only dentists, but dental assistants and hygienists. It also features blog posts and reviews on new dental products, as well as advice about practice management. You can be sure that almost anything you’re looking for is going to be covered somewhere on the site.
The Dental Geek
It looks a little different from most of the dentistry websites you’ll find, and that’s a good thing. The Dental Geek describes itself as, “A place for passionate members of the dental industry to embrace their inner geek-hood and connect in an environment where they can engage with likeminded people and unite over one common theme, their love for dentistry.” Articles are written by the official team for the most part, but guest posts are also considered if you have some expertise you’d like to share.
At Molar Media Mount, we’re always trying to make life a little easier for dentists and their teams. So check out our blog, and give us a call today if you’d like to learn more about how the Molar Media Mount can help your practice bring in new patients.
]]>
7:50- Aaand, pulling into the parking lot early. Boom. I swear if those twins miss their appointments again today… Their mom told me they’ve used fake dentist appointments to skip class twice already this year, but God forbid they show up to the real ones.
9:00- “Open wide!” Oh my gosh. There is no way this woman brushed her teeth today. Or, like, this month. There’s only so much I can do here, but this is definitely pushing back every appointment for the rest of the day. Crossing my fingers on those twins canceling now.
10:00- Okay, I know for a fact I didn’t just poke this guy’s gums. You’re a grown man. This flinching stuff needs to stop.
11:00- Twins are MIA.
11:20- Glad you guys could make it. And only twenty minutes late, I see. They better not be playing that name-switch game on me. Whatever. If it makes them happy then I’ll call them whatever name they want.
12:30- Luuuuunch. [Stares at packed lunch. Mentally judges line at Chipotle. Opens lunch.]
2:00- Wow, that may have been the sweetest little kid I’ve had in here in months. Didn’t even have to ask him to open wide. We need to send a thank you note to his parents. Although I’m pretty sure the video he was watching on our Molar Media Mount helped...
3:00- I know for a fact this woman only flossed for her appointment today. Why do they think we can’t tell? Honestly I’m just happy I don’t have to do it. I guess twice a year is better than nothing.
4:00- So. Tired. Please stop telling me about your vacation in Cabo. Not only is it making me jealous, but this cleaning is taking twice as long as it should… Time to put that Molar Media Mount to good use again!
5:00- Wait, am I getting out of here on time? Stop. This is not real life.
6:00- I am one with the Netflix.
]]>1. Crowns
Crowns are pretty much what they sound like—a covering that’s placed over the top of a damaged tooth. Crowns are usually used if a tooth is severely chipped, decayed, or damaged in some other way. The dentist will grind down the remainder of the tooth and then place the crown over it. And yes, you can totally get a gold crown, although they are also made of different metals and porcelain.
2. Fillings
This one is pretty simple, and many people have a few of them. If there’s a simple cavity on the surface of your tooth, the dentist will fill the hole with either a silver metal or white composite material, stopping the decay from growing. And you definitely don’t want that decay to grow because that would mean you need…
3. Root Canals
Yeah, so you may have heard that root canals are really painful, but that’s not totally accurate. It’s the pain before the root canal that can be really bad. Remember that scene in Castaway where Tom Hanks knocks his tooth out with an ice skate? Classic. Anyway, he probably just needed a root canal. That’s because the toothache is caused by the decay of a tooth all the way down to the roots. The dentist has to drill a hole through the tooth to gain access to the pulp material and roots. At that point they clean out the roots and pulp and fill it with a permanent filling, saving you from removal by ice skate. The procedure itself is actually painless with the use of anesthetic.
Usually your dentist is going to try to save your teeth. Movies always have a crazy dentist that’s all about pulling teeth, but it’s really more of a last resort. If the tooth is too decayed or broken, then your dentist will probably perform an extraction to get it out of there.
And if you do get a tooth pulled, know that you’ve got some options for replacing it. A bridge, also known as a fixed removable denture, can be made to replace one or more teeth. Dental implants are metal posts surgically placed in the jawbone to act as an anchor for your replacement teeth.
Dental procedures aren’t known for being very fun, but they can be a good time if your dentist has a Molar Media Mount. Ask your dentist about it next time you’re in for a cleaning!
]]>Biggest Strike Against
Orthodontists—Braces.
Nothing is more dreaded by parents and children alike than hearing that a child needs braces. Parents can forget about that vacation to Cabo, and the kids understand that no matter what they do, they’re basically dropping several rungs down the social ladder at school. Middle school is brutal. With any luck, they’ll have them off by high school, but even that isn’t guaranteed.
Dentist—Your semi-annual checkup.
Orthodontists may be terrible for children, but with any luck you won’t have to see them ever again once you turn 15. Not so for your regular dentist. Every six months, expect that little reminder in the mail. And no one cares that they come out of the dentist’s office feeling like a Doublemint twin, all they care about is the weirdly personal experience of having a stranger stick their fingers in your mouth and occasionally poke your gums with a piece of metal.
Biggest Strength
Orthodontists—An amazing smile.
Yeah, braces and the other procedures that orthodontists use are rough for kids and adults alike, but have you seen the results? I mean, it does actually work. Kids with braces are always tight lipped and hiding in pictures, but then they get them off and it’s a whole new ballgame. They practically run the school with those amazing, straight-as-can-be teeth.
Dentists—Short and Sweet.
Sometimes you may be in for a treat like a root canal or some other procedure, but most of the time the hygienist cleans your teeth, the dentist comes in and pokes around real quick, and then you’re out the door and smiling extra big because you know your teeth won’t look this white until your next cleaning. Unless you have some terrible anxiety because your older brother pulled out one of your baby teeth using the “door handle” method, going to the dentist really isn’t that bad. We swear.
Wild Card
Orthodontist—Dental Gear.
Is it going to be braces, or just a retainer? Are you going to have rubber bands? Because that’s even worse. You could end up with just a little, or lot of gear when you hit the orthodontist’s.
Dentist—The Goodie Bag.
Big or small? Packed or suspiciously light? The goodie bag is a part of the dental experience and can’t be overlooked.
So who wins out? There really are just too many variables. One thing you should be looking for, is who has the more comfortable office for patients. Say, someone with a Molar Media Mount. That would probably tip the scales one way or the other…
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“But the dentist never gets me in at the exact time we scheduled my appointment! Why should I show up on time?” First, that’s because the world isn’t perfect. Sorry we had to be the ones to break it to you. Second, the dentist was probably late getting you in because another, earlier patient was late. Yes, please don’t add to the chain of lateness, it’s long enough as it is.
Glad we just have this open time slot that is impossible to fill, but still costs us money keeping all the lights on and running the A/C.
Seriously, it’ll be so much easier for you to get in and out if there isn’t a full day’s worth of gunk on your teeth. Plus, you won’t have to come back so often if you actually take care of your teeth on your own. It’s a win-win.
Seems like an odd thing to say to the person taking care of your teeth. You know, those things you need in order to eat. We get it, people don’t like going to the dentist.
Um, we spent years in school to get this job, and our dental hygienists happen to know a thing or two, as well. We’re going to notice if you haven’t been brushing, flossing, etc. This isn’t a courtroom; we can’t throw you in jail for lying to us. So you know, just come clean (Ha).
We know you can do it. You know you can do it. Let’s cut the malarkey and everyone will be done faster.
Sometimes your gums get poked. We know when it happens and we feel really bad about it. But we also know when it doesn’t happen. Flinching every time the instrument comes near your mouth only ensures that we probably will accidentally jab you, ensuring a never-ending cycle of poked gums.
Go spend the day outside. Done? Okay, you just got more radiation than you do getting your dental x-rays. You’re fine.
For some reason, everyone thinks we drive Range Rovers and hit the club on the weekends. Actually, we have a mortgage, student loans, and the same bills that you probably do. Not paying is insulting and hits us just as hard as it would if your employer withheld random amounts of money from your paycheck every month.
DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery. Our years of school and training and that diploma on the wall say otherwise.
The dentist’s office can be an uncomfortable place for people, but it doesn’t have to be—for the patients or the dentist. At Molar Media Mount, we’re always looking to make the experience better for everyone, so contact us today to find out how your dental office can benefit from a Molar Media Mount!
]]>If your dental office has a Molar Media Mount, then you can show those denture patients a movie while you work. And the mount moves wherever they can see it best, so they don’t end up with a stiff neck to go along with their new dentures. So check out some of these movies that you can show while you work on that new smile.
Mrs. Doubtfire
This is more of a kid’s movie, but it’s got a great scene where Robin Williams spits out his fake teeth into a glass of water. That’s definitely one your patient can use on the grandkids, or anyone who’s giving them a hard time at the dinner table. Also, it has Robin Williams, so you know it’ll be funny.
Austin Powers
Mike Meyers plays the spoofy British spy Austin Powers in this series, and because he’s British he rocks terrible looking fake teeth throughout the movies. Any of these are good to watch because it gives your patients a little idea of just how much worse things could really be. Those dentures don’t look so bad now, do they?
Skyfall
Again, this one will show you just how good your patients actually have it. Also, it’s a Bond movie, so it’s pretty cool. The main villain in Skyfall is played by Javier Bardem, and he has a beef with Bond’s boss, M. Turns out she left him for dead, and the poison pill he took didn’t quite kill him. Instead it messed up his face pretty bad, and now he has to wear a huge piece of dental work. Seriously, the scene where he pulls it out will give your patient some perspective on their own dentures.
Literally Any Vampire Movie Ever
Take your pick. Anything from Nosferatu to Twilight, and you’re going to find some fake teeth in there somewhere. It has something to do with the fact that no one actually has pointy fake teeth. Still, seeing how cool their teeth look should give your patients some confidence in how far the dental profession has come.
So contact us today about getting a Molar Media Mount. That way you can distract your patients from the dentures, and you can work in peace and get done faster. It’s a win for everyone, really.
]]>There are a lot of reasons you might want to use video on your dental office’s website, and we’d like to share a few of the ways you can use it effectively.
Show Your Personality
Someone visiting your website may very well be making a decision about which dentist in their area they want to use. Without any video, you don’t have a chance for them to hear your voice, meet your staff, or any of the other intimate personal interactions that can sway someone when the decision is a close one. So be sure that the video is friendly, well shot, and gives your viewer enough information without going overboard. And if you do something in the community, try to get a short video so that you can show off your community service and spirit.
This helps you stand out from the competition in your area, too. A good-looking website that features videos of your office and the employees says that you take care of every part of your business. Not all businesses currently use video marketing, so it’s important to get ahead of the curve when it comes to your website.
Provide Testimonials
Written testimonials are powerful tools for a business to have on their website. Visitors can read about a real person that had a great experience and was willing to talk about it. But a video testimonial can be even better when it comes to giving people a reason to choose your business. You’re showing them proof of real people just like them who have decided to use your office.
Show Demonstrations
It’s great that you have videos of the people in your office, but why not get some video of people at work in your office, or even just demonstrating the techniques and tools that you use on a daily basis? Again, this gives your viewers a sense of familiarity and trust in your dental office. You can describe the same thing using text, but it doesn’t have as powerful an effect as video. When you have something new and great that you want to show off, a video demonstration is the best way to show it off to your patients and new visitors to your site.
At Molar Media Mount, we want to help dentists stand out from their competition—whether that’s through a well designed website or an upgrade in your office technology. So contact us today if you’d like to hear more about how we can help your dental office attract more patients.
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It’s been years since Timmy sat down for an interview, and tracking him down was harder than we first imagined. We heard a number of rumors from old associates—that he was tending bar in a dive in Argentina, running a jet ski rental on the coast of Malabar, or even that he’d been seen on a dude ranch in upper Montana. He was a ghost.
We managed to track him down by pure luck. Following a tip from Bubbles Gum, we managed to find an old landlord that had his forwarding address. Turned out he was living on the coast in Florida, just north of Tampa.
We sat down with Timmy for an exclusive interview.
The question everyone wants to hear answered—why did you quit the show?
“Back in those days the business was so cutthroat. I was doing everything I could to appear younger and cleaner. Whitening strips, mouthwash baths, illegal fluoride treatments—you name it, I was on it. It wasn’t a healthy lifestyle. You can’t keep running on fumes like that forever.”
So it had nothing to do with the alleged feud between you and BrushBrush?
“Look, I’m not going to say our relationship was great near the end. People grow apart. Things happen. I wasn’t in the best state during most of my time on set, and not to point fingers, but BrushBrush was supplying me with most of my whitening strips. It wasn’t a healthy relationship to be in.”
Alright, well, what have you been doing for the past twenty years?
“I got out of acting for awhile. Bounced around and found some work as a mascot for a few dental offices in LA. Finally I took what was left of my money and opened that jet ski rental in Malabar.”
That was real?
“Oh yeah, I had a real Jason Bourne thing going for a few years. Cleared my head, cleaned myself up, and just lived simply on the beach. I decided to try acting again after about seven years in Malabar, but the industry had moved on. Realism was in. Nobody needed a giant tooth in their movie. I got a couple bit parts and that was it.”
Would you be willing to do a reunion show?
“I don’t know, man. That was all so long ago. I haven’t even talked to those guys in years. Is the Cavity Goon even still alive? Look, I’m done here. I need you to leave.”
What is Timmy the Tooth? A washed up actor, fighting against time? A young talent led astray by the bright lights of LA? A giant tooth? Or maybe he’s a little of all those things.
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There are a couple different things that you should do using Google’s services. First, you need to get set up on Google Places. This shows that you’re open for business—and it includes your address, phone number, hours, and reviews. Google is by far the most used search engine, and this lets you control how you appear on Google search and Google Maps. It allows you to easily edit your information and post pictures and respond to reviews. Now when people search for your business, they find all the information they need, plus photos of your dental office, you and your staff, and your patients.
You should also use Google’s local search ads. These ads will appear on Google Maps at the top of the search. Over a billion people use Google Maps, and promoting your dental office could make all the difference when people in your area search for a generic term like “dentist office.”
Social Media
Get it going on multiple social media platforms, and keep it updated. The best way to advertise locally on social media is to be involved in the community and keep those involvements up on your pages. When you sponsor an event or team, use social media to make your followers aware of it. Follow other local businesses and organizations and interact with them on your different social media platforms. Social media is also an important factor when it comes to your ranking in local searches, so be sure not to neglect it.
Get Your Business Rated
Ask patients to rate your business online. As easy as it is, it won’t occur to most people if you don’t ask them. Being listed, and reviewed on sites like Yelp, Citysearch, and TrueLocal will help improve your local online search ranking.
And always remember to update your blog and get the word out when you make any improvements or changes in your dental office. Say, when you start using Molar Media Mounts in your practice. Patients will appreciate the extra effort you’ve gone to in order to make them feel more comfortable, and you’ll have the best local advertising of all—recommendations from friends and family. So contact us today to find out how you can get your hands on a Molar Media Mount.
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Jaws
A giant man eating shark, Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss are the main characters in this movie. But why would you show this? The name alone is a little frightening, and there are several scenes where Jaws shows a blatant disregard for the health of his teeth—gnawing on air tanks, boats, and people. You can also cross the sequels off this list, mostly because they’re terrible.
Point Break
I’m not sure if this movie is actually set in the summer, but it’s set in Southern California, and that’s close enough for me. Packed with surfing, skydiving, and other extremeness, this is a “don’t try this at home” warning in movie form. You shouldn’t show this movie simply because every patient who sees it will want to emulate Keanu and that’s just irresponsible.
Stand By Me
Childhood friendship, Stephen King, and a dead body—yeah, this one is a classic, why would you not show it? I’ll tell you why, because your patients are going to be so overwhelmed by the seemingly carefree idyll that is 1950’s America, that they’re going to jump out of that dentist chair and never come back. No one went to the dentist back then. They didn’t even floss. Those are dangerous ideas to throw around.
Dazed and Confused
Alright, alright, alright. Nothing better than some creepy/cool Matthew McConaughey to get a movie in gear. Why not show it? The movie follows these kids around all summer and no one ever goes to the dentist. I’m not saying we need to watch them get their teeth cleaned, but we don’t even get a shot of them walking out of the dentist office talking about how great their teeth feel. It’s like these movies are under the thumb of Big Sugar or something.
Okay, so if you have a Molar Media Mount, then avoid showing your patients any of these movies, as convenient as they may be to stream. And if you don’t have a Molar Media Mount, what are you doing? It’s the easiest way to show movies to your patients. All you have to do is snap in your iPad or other small tablet and you’re ready to go. So contact us today if you’re considering a Molar Media Mount or two for your dental office.
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Volunteer
If your dental office is in a small community, this can be an especially powerful tool. Look around for local charities, food pantries, or other organizations that need help. You don’t have to be constantly volunteering, and showing up to help even a few times will help people remember you. If you don’t feel like you have the time, then try ordering extra floss, toothbrushes, or travel sized toothpaste with your name on them. Donating them to schools and youth centers is a great way to help kids maintain oral health, while putting your dental office in the back of their parents’ minds.
Sponsor
Youth sports teams are always looking for sponsors. Helping pay for uniforms or other fees is a simple thing, and you end up with your name on a little league jersey that parents see every weekend. But don’t only think about youth sports. There are plenty of other community events that you can help sponsor. Try looking for events that benefit the arts—those are almost always underfunded, and your sponsorship might end up making a huge difference for them.
If your dental office is in a college town, take advantage of some of the events that student organizations hold. Fraternities and sororities are always looking for philanthropy sponsors, and intramural teams are usually willing to advertise on their jerseys. Students far from home won’t always be able to see their dentist when they return for a short break, and your name will be the first on their mind when they start looking for a dentist around campus.
Be Involved
This isn’t hard to do, but it can be easy to let opportunities in the community slip away. If there’s a parade, then enter a float or at least advertise in it. The same goes for any carnivals or events hosted by local schools. There’s almost always a Spring Fling, Fall Fest, or Summer Fest going on to raise money for a local school. Sponsoring, and attending, is a great way to make people feel like you’re a true part of their community.
At Molar Media Mount, we love helping dentists attract more patients and grow their business. That’s why we created the Molar Media Mount—to help you keep your patients entertained and ready to come back. So contact us today if you’d like to hear more about how we can help your dental office.
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Waiting Area
Patient Chairs
Decorations
Anyway, contact us today if you’d like to learn a little more about the Molar Media Mount and inexpensive options for keeping patients distracted.
]]>Super 8
J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg team up for this thriller about a group of friends in a small Ohio town who witness a train accident. Things start getting strange after the accident, and they suspect it may not have been so accidental. Also, one of the young boys who witnesses the accident is totally wearing braces. See, a main character can wear braces. They’re not so bad.
A Christmas Story
Okay, so the character in a Christmas Story with braces is the bully Scut Farkus. Bear with us here. Yes, Scut does eventually get pummeled by Ralphie, but before that he’s the terror of the neighborhood. Everyone’s scared of Scut Farkus. That’s power, kids. True power. And he did it wearing braces. We’re not saying you should become a bully to make yourself feel better about your braces, but just know that it is an option.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
In a flashback to young Willy Wonka’s sad childhood, we see him in a massive headgear contraption and outfitted with braces. This is probably how most children view their braces when they look in the mirror. Fortunately, Willy got out of that headgear and started a successful chocolate factory. So there is life after braces.
The Goonies
Yeah, Mikey from the Goonies was rocking braces. Not only is this movie a classic, but Mikey is the leader of the gang. A kid with braces. Leading other children. It can be done, guys. Show this one to your patients as they get braces and let them know that their braces won’t hold them back as long they believe in themselves. Or something like that.
Braces aren’t a social death sentence, but they may feel like it to some middle-schoolers. If you have a Molar Media Mount, you can show them one of these movies and reassure them that things really do get better. All you have to do is snap in your iPad Mini or tablet and you’re ready to start streaming one of these great movies. So contact us today if you’d like to hear more about how the Molar Media Mount can help your dental office.
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Air abrasion is a precise way to remove decay or to prepare a tooth for the placement of restorations or sealants. The air abrasion system uses compressed air to blast tiny particles of aluminum oxide onto a tooth to destroy decay. It works similarly to sandblasting a building in order to clean off old paint and dirt. Air abrasion doesn’t require local anesthetic, and also doesn’t have the noise and vibration of a regular dental drill.
Intraoral cameras have been around for a while, but the technology behind them has vastly improved recently. The small, lightweight cameras take pictures inside a patient’s mouth, providing clear images that can help in detection and prevention of problems with a patient’s oral health. These wand-like cameras can also help in providing documentation for a patient’s insurance company.
Blue-Spectrum Light is one of the new, more advanced methods of detecting oral cancer. It quickly and painlessly allows dentists to examine a patient’s oral tissue and visualize abnormalities that may indicate oral cancer. The blue-spectrum light causes molecules in the mouth to emit light in differing shades of color, giving dentists an easy way to search for those abnormalities.
Computer assisted design and computer assisted manufacturing technologies are being used in the dental world for the design and fabrication of dental restorations. CAD/CAM can be used for dental bridges, inlays/onlays, porcelain veneers, and crowns—allowing for restorations that look and feel like natural teeth.
At Molar Media Mount, we’re passionate about technology in the dental industry. That’s why we created the Molar Media Mount—to give dentists an inexpensive and innovative way to keep their patients comfortable and distracted. The Molar Media Mount attaches to your dental light, and the arm pivots so that you can position the mount wherever you and your patient need it to go. Simply attach an iPad Mini or tablet of comparable size, and you’re ready to go. Contact us today if you’d like to learn more about the Molar Media Mount.
]]>But seriously, going to the dentist for a teeth whitening is a somewhat pleasant, but usually pretty boring time. If you have a great dentist, however, they’ll definitely have a Molar Media Mount, and you’ll be able to watch a movie while you get a shine put on those chompers. Here are a few you should consider watching.
It’s not for kids, but this Coen brothers’ film is darkly funny and a classic. And it’s, you know, set in Fargo, North Dakota, so there’s tons of snow around. Pristine, white snow… so white and clean… are you getting it yet? Yeah, you’re going to be thinking about that beautiful, white smile all day. As well as the scene with the bad guy running across a frozen lake. So white…
2. The Cleaner
A former cop who works as a crime scene cleaner accidentally becomes part of a cover-up during his latest job. For one thing, the name of the movie is The Cleaner. If that doesn’t put you in the mood to have your teeth whitened, then I just don’t know what would. Also, it stars Samuel L. Jackson, so you know you’re going to get an intense performance with some of his trademark yelling…er, acting.
An American couple meets some mysterious travellers on a train from China to Moscow. Because they’re travelling from China to Moscow, the backdrop outside the train is mostly… yeah it’s mostly snow. There are some trees, too. But that only heightens the tension and sense of isolation during the thrilling train ride. Your teeth will be as white as the endless tracts of snowy Russia.
4. Ice Age
This one is a kid’s movie, but actually pretty enjoyable for adults. At this point there are about eight sequels and spinoffs, so maybe get back to basics and watch the one that started it all. As the dentist whitens your teeth, you can look at the saber tooth tiger’s teeth to get a sense of how white and powerful your shiny new teeth will be.
Everything is sunny and great one day, and the next day New York City has been flooded and everything is frozen and white—an apt metaphor for your whitened teeth. Dennis Quaid is off to save his son, and Jake Gyllenhaal is just trying to hook up with the girl from his debate team. Pretty standard stuff.
If your dentist has the Molar Media Mount, you can watch one of these movies while you get your teeth whitened, mentally preparing yourself for the bright glare that will radiate off of your sparkling smile. Ask your dentist about it next time you go in for an appointment!
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Toothbrush and Travel Sized Mouthwash and Toothpaste
A traditionalist, I see. Nothing wrong with that. Everyone knows that those little tubes are going to go under the bathroom sink until your patients forget toothpaste at the store and can’t squeeze anymore out of the rolled up tube. And let’s get something out of the way right now—the toothpaste in the travel-sized tubes is lower quality than the regular tubes. I don’t know how or why it happens, but it does.
Any Type of Reading Material
Are you serious? Your patients didn’t come to the dentist to read, and they’re definitely not going to be in the mood to find out why flossing is the best thing they can do for their gums. They’re most likely going to keep doing what everyone else does—floss the night before they go to the dentist and bluff their way through the cleaning.
A Magnet
I don’t hate it. Probably 90% of the magnets holding up photos of nieces and nephews on my fridge are from some kind of business, reminding me to buy more stuff from them. Plus, maybe it catches their eye as they open the freezer to grab that tub of mint chocolate chip. Maybe it doesn’t. The point is that it’s there.
Full-Sized Anything/Fancy Toothbrush
Whoa, I didn’t realize I’d crossed the tracks into the nicest part of town. Seriously, is my car going to get towed out here? It’s a ’98 Accord and now I’m worried that’s not allowed in your parking lot. Still, this is probably going to be the best part of my day. It’s like getting a full sized candy bar on Halloween. Except, kind of the exact opposite.
Chapstick
You’ve got your head on straight. Adding a tube of lip balm to your goodie bag is a savvy move. People love using that stuff—both in the winter and summer—and they also lose them like crazy. Hardly anyone actually finishes a tube before they misplace it in their car and find it melted under the seat two months later. This says, “I care about my patients, but I’ve also come to accept that they’re never going to use that mini box of floss.”
The goodie bag is an integral part of the dentist appointment, so don’t think your patients aren’t noticing if you cut back hard on the goodie bag supplies. It’s all about making the visit a little easier for your patients. At Molar Media Mount, we specialize in helping you get your patients comfortable and relaxed during their visit. So contact us today to find out what the Molar Media Mount can do for your office.
]]>Facebook is by far the most powerful social media platform you can use to showcase your dental office. It’s the most used social media site on the planet, and huge numbers of American adults use it every day. So you have a guaranteed audience for your practice. What you need is to get your current patients to follow you and interact with your page. One of the best ways to do this is with a sweepstakes that requires a person to like your page, or possibly a more involved “share your smile” contest.
You should also encourage your patients to give feedback and like your page before or after a visit. People generally consult with online reviews and feedback before purchasing a product or service, and nothing beats a glowing review from a real person, especially if it’s someone they know.
Twitter is great for sharing quick and focused updates. It’s less time consuming than other social media platforms because of the 140 character limit, and tweeting a message to your followers is a convenient way to make your point. To get the most out of Twitter, you should post often with interesting or relevant information, follow as many dentistry related accounts as you can, and remember to link back to your Facebook page or website often.
The Blog
Try adding a blog to your website if you haven’t already. It’s a great way to keep patients updated on office news, photos, videos, and other information. Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are great for distributing your blog post, and this way your readers are linked back to your website when they click.
Be sure to update your blog regularly, just as you would with your other social media platforms. Designate a staff member to update the blog once a week, or hire someone to do it for you. Putting out engaging, informative content is key to getting more eyes on your dental office.
At Molar Media Mount, we want your dental practice to be as successful as possible. That’s why we created the Molar Media Mount—an easy and low-cost way to show patients movies and television shows during a procedure, keeping them distracted and happy. And when your patients leave happy, there’s a much better chance they’re going to recommend you to their family and friends. So contact us today to find out how the Molar Media Mount can help your dental office.
The Lion King
Timeless. The Lion King is one of those movies that even the adults enjoy watching. This is good and bad, as your small patient will be riveted, but you might actually need to wipe your eyes when Mufasa bites the dust. Spoiler? I mean if you haven’t seen it by now, you either don’t have kids, or had a sad, sad childhood.
Frozen
Yeah, you’re probably pretty tired of that Let it Go song by now, but guess what—children love repetition. And even though this one is a few years old now, it’s still the all-time best-selling Blu-Ray Disc in the United States and the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Probably worth a shot, huh?
Toy Story 3
Many of the people who grew up watching the original are having kids of their own at this point, so you may be safer putting on the third installment of this series. Still, you could blow their minds with the original if they haven’t seen it yet. It’s like hearing a great new band and finding out they have 20 years of recorded work. Jackpot.
The Sandlot
Okay, so maybe I’m dating myself with this one, but this is another movie that never really goes out of style. Everyone knows who Babe Ruth is (The Sultan of Swat!) and this one has some great life lessons without being too preachy. Yeah, they probably won’t know what the heck an erector set is, but all your wannabe ball players will love this movie when you play it on the Mount.
Despicable Me
Kids love the minions. It’s a known fact. This movie could be about literally anything, and kids would still be watching it over and over for the minions. They’ve even got their own spinoff now, but personally, it seems like overkill. Steve Carell dealing with three adorable orphan girls is much better, and you might even sneak a peak during the procedure.
With the Molar Media Mount, your biggest problem is going to be waiting on your patient to decide what movie they want to watch. If your patient is a little kid, then throw on any of these movies and you’re almost guaranteed a calm, cooperative, and completely distracted patient. So contact us today if you’d like to hear more about how the Molar Media Mount can help your dental office.
]]>Much is made about attracting new patients to your office, but effective patient retention practices are just as important. Keeping your patients coming back, and referring your office to their friends, is huge moneymaker in itself. If you’re retaining 90% of your patients, you’re doing well. If you’re below 70%, then you may need to do some work and evaluate what you could be doing better. So what can you do to get across to your patients, and help get them back in your office on a regular basis?
And while you’re concentrating on how to reach patients when they’re out of the office, how about working on what you can do to retain them while they’re in the office? Establishing a rapport and making sure their experience is a positive one is a great way to ensure they keep coming back - and what better way to do that than to install a Molar Media Mount on every chair in your office, so that procedures fly by as patients are distracted by watching their favorite TV show or movie? Contact Molar Media Mount today to learn more!
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