Gathering Patient Testimonials

Situation:

Everyday we work with patients we hear compliments about the dentistry, the doctor, the team or the facility. Use these opportunities to gather testimonials and build a library of quotes and stories about your patients’ experiences. These can go a long way in helping others decide to choose you for their dental needs.

When a patient says something nice about the practice ask them “May I quote you on that?” and then inform them that you are gathering testimonials to use on your website and in your practice brochure. You may also want to prepare a reception area testimonial book and include them on any video presentations you may play in the reception area or in the operatories.

Target patients that would be good candidates to give you a recommendation and ask them if they would be willing to share their story with your potential patients. If they agree to do so, inform them that you’ll send an email with a testimonial request. Download a Microsoft Word Testimonial Authorization Form .

How to:

  • Sample email to a patient whom you’ve asked to write a testimonial:

Dear [Patient],

Working with patients like you makes my dental practice a great joy! Thank you for agreeing to provide a testimonial. Your story will help inform our potential patients why it’s good to work with us and how they can benefit.

To help you get started, I’ve included a few questions, but please feel free to write whatever you like.

(Include some questions, using the list below as a guide.)

Thank you for your time and kind support. We value your business and look forward to caring for you again in the future. Please let me know if there is anything further I can do for you.

  • Sample email to a patient asking if you may quote them for a testimonial:

Dear [Patient],

Thank you for taking the time to express your kind comments to me. Your praise brightened my day and patients like you make everything I do worthwhile.

With your permission, I would like to share your thoughts with potential patients. Your words will help them to understand how they can benefit from working with us, and why they should do so. Do I have your permission?

Thank you again for your business, and please let me know if there’s anything further I can do for you.

  • Sample email asking for a testimonial:

Dear [Patient],

I hope all is well. Because I value you as a patient, I would appreciate your feedback. With your permission, I would like to use your comments as a testimonial on our website and in our practice brochure.

To help you get started, I’ve included a few questions, but please feel free to write whatever you would like.

(Include some questions, using the list below as a guide.)

Thank you for your time, and thanks again for your business. Please let me know if there’s anything further I can do for you.

Of course, most of your patients are busy people who don’t have much time set aside for tasks like this. That’s why it’s your job to make it easier for them. One way to do this is to provide them with a few sample questions in your testimonial request email. Here are a few that you might want to put to use:

  1. How do you feel about your dental work? How does this compare with dental work you’ve had in the past?
  2. How do you feel about the way you’ve been treated here in our office? How does this compare with other offices you’ve been to?
  3. What problems were you experiencing before you came in? How were these resolved? How do you now feel about your dental health?
  4. How affordable are our services? How does this compare with other offices you’ve visited?
  5. Do you have any other comments about your dental care or our office?

Whenever a patient provides a testimonial, don’t forget to send them a kind thank-you note. A personal handwritten note is best and a thank-you gift may even be a good idea in some circumstances. The goal is to make your patients feel that they’ve done a good thing, while also keeping your business in their minds so that they’ll provide referrals in the future.