Why does giving patients two appointment times work better?
Because a choice between two options feels like control, and an open ended question feels like work. When my scheduler books the next visit, she never asks “when works for you.” She says the next two dates and times I have are these, which would you prefer. Best bet is to always offer one morning and one afternoon. The patient picks, feels in charge, and you have a booked appointment instead of a vague maybe. This is classic scheduling psychology and it costs you nothing. While she does it she also reinforces the win, congratulations, you have been accepted for your complete dental physical. So train your front desk to stop asking open questions about timing. Hand the patient two real choices and let them choose. You will fill more slots and lose fewer people to the limbo of “I’ll call you back.”
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.