Intraoral Camera as
Marketing Tool

From the very beginning, intraoral cameras have been used to communicate with patients better. Many doctors are using their intraoral cameras to pitch or even convince patients to start treatment. Although intraoral cameras are designed to help doctors increase case acceptance, the intention behind your treatment plan is what really matters. In this article, our Digital Doc team discusses the dos and don’ts for using intraoral cameras as a marketing tool. 

Getting Patients to Say Yes to Treatment

Of course, we want patients to say yes to our treatment plans. More “yesses” equal more money, right? But, it’s pretty obvious when doctors are seeing patients as customers rather than people. Although intraoral cameras are an excellent diagnostic tool, they’re exactly just that- a diagnostic tool. Some doctors will take it a step too far and use their dental cameras solely as a communication tool, pushing patients’ treatment. In turn, patients feel like they’re being “sold” treatment and will ultimately go elsewhere. 

Building Rapport and Trust With Patients

Building patient rapport and trust is key to a higher case acceptance rate. How do you avoid breaking trust and strengthen patient rapport? The short answer is to stop overtreating. Patients are excellent at reading body language, so they can tell if you simply care about them or racking up treatment. Instead of using your dental camera to show the patient their mouth, use it to help show you their mouth.

Ask your hygienist to take notes while you examine the patient’s smile. Call out the different dental concerns you see, such as cracks or decay, and address them with your patient afterward. Your patient will, of course, hear the conversation between you and the hygienist. When talking to your patient about these concerns, show them the pictures you took during the examination. At the end of their appointment, they will feel less like a customer and more like patients.