Dental Letters: Write, Blog and Email Your Way to Success with CD-ROM. American Dental Association

will allow us to serve you better. It features an attractive reception area, spacious treatment rooms equipped with intraoral cameras, and the latest in dental equipment and technology.

      Although we’re in a new location, we haven’t changed our hours, staff, policies, or our personal service to patients. When you visit our new office, you will receive the careful attention and gentle dental care you have come to expect from our practice.

      Also, be sure to visit our practice website, www.numberonedental.com. It will keep you up to date on the latest in practice news and oral health care tips for you and your family.

      Enclosed you’ll find a business card with our new address and telephone number. Please feel free to stop by for a tour. Our location may have changed, but our commitment to you, our patients, has not.

      Sincerely,

      Dr. Anderson and Team

       TEXT

      Number One Dental has moved to 900 N. Michigan Ave. Stop by to tour our new facilities! www.numberonedental.com

       TWEET

Number One Dental @NumberOneDental Number One Dental has moved to 900 N. Michigan Ave! Our location is new but our commitment to patient care is the same. #numberonedental

       FACEBOOK POST

Number One Dental

      We are pleased to announce the opening of our new dental office at 900 N. Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL. Our hours remain the same. You have watched our practice grow, and the new and larger facility will allow us to serve you better. Check out the pictures of our new office!

       BLOG POST/NEWSLETTER ITEM

We’ve Moved! WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE the opening of our new dental office at 900 N. Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IL. You have watched our practice grow, and the new and larger facility will allow us to serve you better. It features an attractive reception area, spacious treatment rooms equipped with intraoral cameras, and the latest in dental equipment and technology. Although we’re in a new location, we haven’t changed our hours, staff, policies, or our personal service to patients. When you visit our new office, you will receive the careful attention and gentle dental care you have come to expect from our practice.

      Branding Your Communications

      Every communication from your practice represents you. Therefore, each one should convey confidence and professionalism. It is important to customize your communications and suit them to your practice philosophy and personal style. Using a logo and a specific typeface communicates a consistent, professional image to patients and the general public.

      For example, your paper stationary should be professionally designed and printed. Emails, as well as any online profiles, should also carry you practice’s logo and name. When you send press releases to local newspapers or organizations, whether as hard copies or electronically, they should be sent on either your paper or digital stationary.

      A Caveat About Emails and Faxes

      The CAN-SPAM Act is a law which regulates rules for commercial email, sets conditions for commercial messages, gives recipients the right to opt out of receiving your emails, and explains penalties for violations. For more information on the CAN-SPAM Act, visit: www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business.

      Faxes also face restrictions established by the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005. If you wish to communicate with customers via fax:

       You must have an established business relationship with the patient.

       You must voluntarily provide your fax number or the number must be publicly available.

       You must provide an opt-out number.

      For more information on the Junk Fax Prevention Act, visit: www.fcc.gov/guides/fax-advertising.

      The requirements of the CAN-SPAM Act and the Junk Fax Prevention Act are not addressed in this book. Before sending email or faxes for commercial purposes, dental professionals are strongly urged to consult their legal counsel.

      Think Before You Write — or Click “Send” or “Post”

      Remember that every communication you send, whether paper or electronic, is a reflection of your practice. If a patient has not yet visited your office, your communication may be his or her first impression. Though posting on Facebook or Twitter may feel less formal than writing a letter, there is no excuse for sloppy grammar or spelling errors. Your computer’s spell check feature will not catch every error, so ask another person to proofread your communications before you send them.

      It is also important to note the ease in which electronic communications can be posted and forwarded for the world to see. You may want to think about which communications are appropriate to be sent electronically. For example, it may be more suitable to send financial or insurance information as paper letters for both confidentiality and documentation purposes.

      Moreover, something you post today can be accessed indefinitely. Keep your communications professional in tone, and don’t let your emotions get the best of you, even if someone has a negative opinion about something you post. Let your online reputation be an expression of your best professional self.

Insurance

How Insurance Plans Work

       Date

      Patient Street Address City, State Zip

      Dear Patient:

      Whether you’re new to our practice or have been a valued patient for years, it’s important to be reminded how most dental insurance plans work. I would like to take this opportunity to explain why your insurance may not cover the entire cost of your dental procedure, or why it covers some dental procedures and not others.

      Most dental benefit plans are the result of a contract between an insurance company and your employer, union or association. The person who negotiates the terms of your insurance plan makes the final decision on maximum levels of reimbursement through a contract with the insurance company.

      Sometimes it may be noted on your bill that the fee I have charged you is higher than the reimbursement levels of UCR. It does not mean that our office is overcharging you — it could mean that the insurance company may not have taken into account up-to-date, regional data in determining a reimbursement level. Even though the cost of dental