Teenagers are those aged between 13-19 years. The population in the United States is constantly rising, and there are about 42 million adolescents in the country. Therefore, many businesses have turned their attention towards this age group as they have much buying power. This includes the dental industry.
The dental industry is focusing on teenagers because they are vulnerable to all sorts of dental problems. The most common issues teenagers face are tooth decay, gum disease, and braces. Dental professionals can prevent all of these with proper dental care. But sadly, they are also experiencing a lot of dental anxiety. Dealing with dental anxiety is one way you can make your dental clinic more appealing to teenagers.
Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety is one of the main reasons people, including teenagers, avoid going to the dentist. A study showed that a fraction of Americans doesn’t see a dentist regularly because of their fear. This number might even be higher for teenagers.
There are many reasons why people experience dental anxiety. It could be because of a bad experience in the past, the fear of needles, or the fear of pain. Whatever the reason, it’s essential to understand that dental anxiety is real and should be taken seriously.
As a dentist, you can make your clinic more appealing to teenagers by understanding and accommodating their dental anxiety. You can do this by creating a relaxing environment.
You can achieve a relaxing environment in many ways. You can start by playing soft music in your clinic. This will help to soothe patients and make them feel more relaxed. You can also use aromatherapy to create a more calming atmosphere.
Get Rid of Braces
If there is one thing that teenagers are worried about is their looks. They are constantly being bombarded with images of perfect-looking people in the media. This can damage their self-esteem, especially if they have braces.
While you can’t get rid of all the braces in the world, you can make your dental clinic more appealing to teenagers by offering less noticeable braces. Invisalign braces is one type of brace that is nearly invisible. This can be an excellent option for teenagers who are self-conscious about their appearance but still need to straighten their teeth.
This will give teenagers the confidence to smile without feeling self-conscious about their braces.
Offer Incentives
Incentives are a great way to get teenagers to come to your clinic. You can offer them discounts on their dental services or give them gift cards to popular stores. This will show them that you value their business and are willing to go the extra mile to please them.
You can also offer incentives for referrals. For example, if a teenager refers a friend to your clinic, you can give them a discount on their next visit. This is a great way to attract new patients and keep existing ones happy.
Use Technology
Teenagers are very tech-savvy. They are always on their phones or laptops, so it’s essential to use this. You can create a website or a social media page for your clinic. It will help you reach a wider audience and attract more teenage patients.
You can also use technology to your advantage by offering digital dental services. This includes online appointment booking, online payments, and virtual consultations. It will make it easier for teenagers to get the dental care they need without leaving their homes.
Moreover, you should also be present on social media. Many teenagers use social media to find information about dental clinics. Therefore, if you have a strong presence on social media, you are more likely to attract teenage patients.
Offer Sedation Dentistry
Some teenagers experience such severe dental anxiety that they avoid going to the dentist at all costs. If this is the case, you can offer sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry is a revolutionary form of dentistry that uses medication that can make patients relax during the treatment. This can be an excellent option for teenagers who have a fear of the dentist.
Some common types of sedation dentistry include oral sedation, nitrous oxide, and intravenous sedation. You can discuss with your teenage patients which type of sedation would be best for them.
It’s important to note that sedation dentistry should only be used as a last resort. This is because it can be dangerous if not done correctly. You should only offer sedation dentistry to teenage patients who have tried everything else and still haven’t been able to overcome their dental anxiety.
These are five ways to make your dental clinic more appealing to teenagers. If you implement these tips, you will see an increase in the number of teenage patients at your clinic.
