Does reciprocity actually work in a dental practice?
It works, and it is one of the strongest levers in human behavior, but only if you understand it. Reciprocity is simple. I give you something, you feel a pull to give back. There’s a famous Hindu legend where a flower changes hands and a donation comes back, and an entire movement grew on that one exchange. You see it in any grocery store at peak hours, the free sample table, because a tasted bite turns into a basket of purchases. The catch is that not every gift carries equal weight. A real, thoughtful gift before you ask for anything creates genuine obligation. A token does almost nothing. In a consult, the small reciprocity detour matters, the welcome, the time, the genuine help you give before you ever talk treatment. Give first, give something that costs you, and do it before the ask.
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.