Should I use a backup answering service for missed dental calls? Yes, and I'd set it up before you lose another month of leads. The idea is simple. If your team can't pick up live within about 12 to 15 seconds, the call rolls to a third party that answers, "Dr. Jones office, thanks for calling." They take the patient's information and email it straight to you for follow-up. Think of it like a net behind the net. You're paying $150 to $200 to bring each fish in, so you don't let the ones you can't catch swim right back out. [...]