Why do dental diagnostic appointments allow more scheduling flexibility than free or low-cost consultations?
Because the patient has paid a substantial fee for the diagnostic visit, which signals real commitment to the process and earns them more flexibility in scheduling. Free and low-cost appointments live in tight time blocks designed to contain their unpredictability and protect the rest of the schedule. The patient who paid little or nothing has not demonstrated the level of commitment that justifies disrupting the practice’s optimal flow for their convenience. Diagnostic appointments operate differently. The fee, which can range substantially depending on the practice’s positioning and the case category, represents real money on the table from the patient. They are far more likely to honor the appointment, arrive on time, and complete the visit as scheduled. The practice can therefore accommodate diagnostic appointments at times that work for the patient’s life. The main constraint is ensuring the doctor has adequate time to deliver the visit unhurried and stay on schedule for subsequent patients. Within that constraint, the flexibility is real and worth offering. The fee paid earns the consideration. Patients notice when paid commitment unlocks flexibility that free commitment does not.
If the answers you are finding here resonate with you, my team and I work with a small group of clients each year. The next step is a complimentary Discovery Consultation and Practice Review with Dr. McAnally.