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A survey by the ADA, Crest, and Oral B– just in time for Valentine’s Day – tells us that a person’s smile is the most appealing feature over eyes, hair, and body. You may recall a similar survey by the AACD  that showed a great smile makes a person seem more intelligent and attractive. So it’s not news, true. However, the recent survey provides some additional information that could help you in your dental practice marketing…

The survey says…

• 86% of women and only 66% of men brush their teeth twice daily
• Women change toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months; men wait 5 months
• 49% of people floss daily
• 33% think bleeding while flossing is normal

Brushing twice daily and flossing once is important – you know this, but do your patients practice it? Do they know that  bleeding while flossing can be a sign that they need to floss more often or it can indicate gingivitis? The ADA recommends replacing a toothbrush every 3 to 4 months for effective brushing. Consider surveying your patients to determine how they measure up against the statistics.

This Valentine’s Day (and every day), love your patients by showering them with information on how to improve and maintain oral health. Here are some ideas:

• Include a page on halitosis on your website. Title it, “The Secret to Becoming a Good Kisser.” The page can discuss causes of bad breath and how to reduce or eliminate the problem.

• Print Valentines for your patients. Feature 10 problems (based on statistics), along with solutions. These could  include the above dental health information, as well as the gum disease link to overall health, oral cancer information, dental phobic stats, the children’s caries increase, and other topics.

• Put a “We Love New Patients” offer on your dental website. Include an incentive, like free take-home whitening or a discount on an initial exam.

• Take the above offer one step farther. Give heart-shaped cards with this offer to current patients. Put the patient’s name on the back of the card and the words “Because I Love Your Smile.” The patient can deliver the card to a friend. When that friend presents the card as a new patient to your office, the referrer would receive an account credit or free whitening.

• Adults and children love trivia. Take advantage of this! Post statistics and little-known facts about dentistry throughout your waiting room, treatment rooms, and restroom as a fun way to educate and inform. With every patient’s checkout paperwork, include a printed Dental Trivia Quiz with answers upside down at the bottom.