What Can Social Media Do For a Dental Practice?

I'm excited about Dr. William Thompson and his wife, Becky, at Grandview Dental in Grandview, Ohio. That's because they're a prime example of a local business/service provider that's just now beginning to comprehend what Social Media can mean for their practice and business. And while the International Social Media Chamber of Commerce is here to grow opportunity, knowledge and relationships for everyone, it's this category of "newbies" that I'm especially stoked about helping. Of course, most organizations ARE relatively "new" to the discipline of Social Media. But, effective methods of branding and growing within SM are even fewer and far between within the medical field.

So what can Social Media do for a dental practice or any physician? Quite alot we think and, apparently, so do they. Grandview Dental (@Grandview Dental) is a prime example of a business/service provider in Central Ohio just now beginning to enter the social media fray. I've been reading their Twitter and blog posts for a few days and the search for knowledge is apparent. Here's a dental practice that knows Social Media is a place they want to be. But, how to get there?

So far, they've done all the right things in their quest for understanding. They cruised over to the social media seminar at the Grandview Chamber of Commerce, established their Twitter account http://twitter.com/GrandviewDental and weren't afraid to ask questions and take that advice. For example, Dr. & Mrs. Thompson initially established their tweet profile as @ColumbusDentist. With good reason, a speaker at the chamber meeting suggested they alter that to @GrandviewDental for better branding purposes, and so they did. Ask and ye shall receive.

It's also good to see the doctors' Blog prominently placed on the top nav bar of their main website http://grandviewdentalcare.com/blog/ On that blog, they ask a very, very good question. "Why would I Want to Follow My Dentist on Twitter?" That question is answered so well, I'd love to reach out and give 'em a big ol' hug! Here it is:

As you would expect we tweet about dental care with perhaps a link back to our blog or some other dental website. It might be how to combat a toothache at 2 AM, or a video on how to floss or some new procedure we are offering at our office.

Allow patients to ask questions or give us feedback which some businesses feel is a scary thing about social media. We want to know if we have (or haven’t) met your expectations so that we can try to correct the situation.

We also tweet about special discounts in our office

We have contests and giveaways that include tickets to local events (hey, we are trying to make a dental office fun here) - We have 2 tickets to the Pretender’s show on Aug 16th which we will be Tweeting the details on how you could win them. That’s reason enough to follow us….

Local Columbus and Grandview Events

Recognize our patients and fellow Grandview Business neighbors

Pictures and videos about staff stuff

Recipes or other food/wine related stuff

Stuff about overall health and fitness

Yep, I think I'm gonna love these guys. They're gettin' it! Why would you follow your dentist? For information, for tips, for fun, for discounts, for freebies like concert tickets, for great customer/patient service and followup....yes, the list goes on and on.

Grandview Dental understands it's the intimacy of social media that will help to build and solidify this practice like no other...especially while other dentists and physicians are slow to take advantage of the opportunity.

So congrats Grandview Dental! You're on your way and we look forward to seeing your growth through the adoption of this stellar thing we call Social Media.