Today’s patients expect answers to their questions almost immediately. Big brands like Amazon and Apple have created seamless online integrations to improve the overall experience of their customers. You don’t have the budgets of Amazon and Apple, but your patients expect the same type of services and response time with dental webchat. Webchat provides the benefit of immediate on-demand support.

What is Dental Webchat?

It’s software that resides on the homepage of your website. It allows patients and potential patients to communicate with your practice immediately.

In a study by 99Firms researchers found that 79% of consumers prefer Webchat. In comparison, les than 20% of dental practices have added Webchat to their websites. These statistics represent a disparity in perception and what constitutes amazing patient satisfaction.

A study in Inc. revealed that 42% of consumers prefer live chat over other forms of communication. A J.D. Power survey found that 42% of customers prefer Webchat compared to only 23% for email and 16% for social media.

In another consumer study, Webchat recently overtook the phone as the top online customer service channel.

Webchat improves your online reputation management and customer support efforts.

1) Webchat Powered by AI Increases Your Team’s Productivity

Leveraging AI in dentistry with softwares like Annie Webchat dramatically improves customer service. Not only does it provide immediate on-demand support but it improves productivity. But I’ve yet to speak with a dental office manager who was excited and enthusiastic to manage Webchat.

In a recent phone call a dental office manager asked My Social Practice to remove Webchat from their website. Inquiring about why, I found out that they were inundated with chats and they did not have the bandwidth to respond.  In the mind of a overwhelmed office manager she asked,  “I just want our patients to call in. If they don’t call in we can’t help them.” I understand her frustration but this is problem that should be looked at as an opportunity.

Providing dental patients with a new form of communication, especially one that they actually use, improves customer service and patient satisfaction. The solution to her problem was not to remove Webchat but to implement dental AI Webchat software, which was something she was not aware of.

Since early 2023, large language AI models like ChatGPT have revolutionized communication. AI communication platforms are extremely adept at managing conversations in a natural human-like way. When integrating AI into dentistry the dental practice effectively extends their dental team allowing them to manage more patient interactions.

2) Dental Webchat Helps You Get An Edge Over Competitors

Response time gives your practice an edge over your competition. If a potential patient emails one of your competitors with a question, studies have shown that the response time to email is around ten hours. If that same patient uses your AI Webchat, the patient is able to engage in real-time with the practice. The agent will be able to answer their questions and build trust. Dental Webchat allows you to build trust, gather information, and even schedule an appointment before your competitor checks their email.

If you think that you’re late to the party by adding a Webchat to your website, you’re wrong. New AI Webchat models are just now entering the industry and the practices that lean into AI technology will improve productivity, decrease labor costs, and increase overall profit.

3) Webchat Helps Convert More New Dental Patients

Millenials and Gen Z make up 48% of the population and if you are one or have a child that is among these populations you know that they do not like to make phone calls. Cell phones are not for calling, they’re for texting. They are far more likely to use your Webchat or text than call your office. This behavior is a huge departure from Gen X and baby boomers who prefer calling and communicating on the phone.

A recent study looked to try and understand why Millennials and Gen Z prefer chatting and texting over all other communication platforms and this was what they found.

It may not be comfortable but the reality is that we as dental professionals need to adapt rather than forcing our patients to adapt to how we like to do things. If we can offer Webchat we’ll open ourselves up to almost 50% of the population that is searching for a dental provider willing to communicate in the way that they feel comfortable.

4) Webchat Conversations Are Great Insight Into New Marketing Efforts

Once your practice implements Webchat, you’ll notice trends and patterns over time as patients ask similar questions. These patterns will offer valuable insight which can help you to improve your overall marketing strategies.

For example, suppose you receive numerous questions about whether or not you provide a take-home teeth whitening service. In that case, you may want to add a page to your website or a banner on your homepage letting website visitors know that you provide the service. In addition you can train your AI Webchat agent to answer those questions appropriately. Once trained, you never need to worry about the agent responding appropriately.

5) Dental Webchat Improves Dental Patient Experience

Webchat improves patient satisfaction. Providing immediate on-demand support is simply what your patients want. A patient experience with Webchat is tied directly to your practice perception and online reputation. Your dental practice brand improves as you convert a higher percentage of potential patients into scheduled patients.

Launch Annie: Your New Webchat Manager

Annie is a revolutionary webchat manager that has been built on generative AI technology. Her proprietary training module allows her to learn everything about how you run your practice. Built on conversational AI she has the ability to have human like conversations with your website visitors, answering questions from “I’m lost and I can’t find your office.” to “I don’t have insurance but I need a root canal.”

In addition she can be directly connected to your patient management system allowing her to schedule appointments in a HIPAA compliant manner.

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