Dentist Runeel Joye converted his practice, Oh my Smile in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, from NHS to private in September 2021. In this video, he reflects on the best way to handle patients during the change.
With hindsight, he feels the letters sent out by the practice to patients could have spelt out in greater detail what the change would mean to them, and what their options would be. This would have generated fewer calls and queries.
However, because of the strongly pro-NHS demographic local to his practice, it was highly likely patients would complain about the change, anyway.
Runeel is full of praise about the excellent way his team handled the question. He defended his decision to make the change. He feels that a certain amount of negative feedback from patients is to be expected. But this will peter out, to be replaced by positive comments which help validate the choice to convert.
Better understanding
Although retaining only 25 to 30% of his previous patient base sounds scary, Runeel is happy with that. This is because the only way to spend more time with patients is to have fewer of them.
The patients who have stayed are those who are happy with the practice. But also those who trust the advice given to them by the dentists.
Mindful of the fact that the foundations of good oral healthcare are built in childhood, Runeel wanted to make it easy for children to gain access to treatment at the practice. To achieve this, for plan members, he offers free treatment for their children until they are aged six. He then discounts treatment for those aged six to 18 years.
All of this has meant that patients who stayed with the practice are now reaping the benefits.
General oral health has improved with more regular hygienist appointments and greater use of digital scanning gives patients a better understanding of the condition of their teeth and treatment needs.
If you’re considering your options away from the NHS and are looking for a provider who will hold your hand through the process whilst moving at a pace that’s right for you, why not have a confidential and no-obligation chat with Practice Plan on 01691 684165.
Or book onto one of the virtual one-to-one NHS to private clinics: www.practiceplan.co.uk/nhsvirtual.
