As a dental practice, reviews left on your dental websites is pretty commonplace and is even welcome. After all, good social proof is a very good way to help other potential patients learn more about your dental practice and the level of service that you offer patients.
However, what if you get a negative review? It does happen, whether we like it or not. After all, you can’t please everybody. What do you do when someone leaves a negative review on your dental websites or social media profiles?
You have to understand that negative reviews do not spell the end of your dental practice. Here is what you need to know about how negative patient reviews can help your dental practice.
It helps you understand what needs to be worked on
Having a negative patient review might seem like a bad thing for your dental practice, but like all things in life, it’s always a good idea to look at things from another angle. Look at the negative review as a chance at a learning experience for what you can do for your dental practice.
Read the negative reviews that you’re receiving. Is there a common theme to the patient complaints? Are they saying that wait times are too long? Is it difficult for people to book an appointment?
Looking into these negative reviews gives you a first-hand look into what needs to be worked on to improve your patients’ experience in your dental practice and can be used to significantly improve your dental practice for your patients.
It gives you a chance to connect with patients
Another silver lining to be seen with a negative review is the fact that it gives you the opportunity to connect with your patients. Negative patient reviews are dissatisfied patient’s ways of being heard, and it’s important to reach out and listen to them.
Not only should you implement changes to better improve their experience with your dental practice, but it also gives you a chance to reconnect with patients who were previously dissatisfied with your dental practice.
Reaching out to them and asking about what else can be improved is a good way to let them know that you’re listening to them and care about them.
It can actually boost your credibility
You may be surprised to find that negative patient reviews left on your dental websites and social media profiles can actually boost your website credibility. A lot of users find that a website with a perfect user rating seems fake compared to a website with a high, but not perfect rating.
A couple of negative reviews won’t hurt your dental practice much. The best thing to do is read these reviews, see what can be improved, and aim to give your patients the best customer service you can.