How should a dental practice handle a patient who needs a consultation outside the standard free time blocks?
Offer a paid backup slot secured by credit card on the regular treatment calendar. The script is direct: “The free consultation does have to be at one of these times. If that does not work for you, we can schedule you into our regular treatment calendar for a regular consultation. The fee is $129, which is not charged until the day of your visit and is applied to any other visits you may have. We need a credit card to reserve your time.” This structure does two things at once. It protects the practice’s complimentary consultation blocks from being overrun by every scheduling preference, which would dilute the doctor’s procedure days. It also gives the highly motivated patient a real path to be seen on their preferred timing. The credit-card reservation reduces no-shows and signals that the practice respects its own time. Some patients accept the trade. Others become flexible and take a free slot. Both outcomes work.
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.