The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) just released their report documenting their survey results about the state of cosmetic dentistry in the US. Incidentally, if you are interested in cosmetic dentistry I highly recommend becoming a member of the AACD. I have found the membership of the AACD to be a fantastic group of people genuinely interested in helping dentists deliver beautiful cosmetic dentistry. Their annual meeting, held in the spring each year, provides a wealth of information related to cosmetic dentistry. Their website is www.AACD.com.
I found the information in this AACD report to be absolutely fascinating! The great news is that it looks like after a number of years of declining interest in cosmetic dentistry we are now experiencing increased consumer interest in beautiful smiles! There is a plethora of information in this report and I would encourage you to read it for the complete story. Here is the link:
Here are four components of the report that I found especially interesting, along with my comments about how to use this information in your practice:
- 92% of patients having cosmetic treatment were influenced by friends or family members who had a positive experience. This makes perfect sense. If someone is going to spend a significant amount of money they want to know that they are doing the right thing and that they are at the right place. Let your patients know that you always welcome new patients. Let all your patients know that in addition to being a general dental office you can also help patients achieve the smile of their dreams.
- 3 out of 4 patients cited information obtained from the internet as an important factor when deciding to have cosmetic dental procedures. Make sure your website has a landing page(s) featuring cosmetic treatment available at your office. Consider including a Photo Gallery section on your website showing beautiful after photos of patients who have received cosmetic dentistry (make sure you have patients sign model release forms allowing you to use their image for marketing purposes).
- More men are interested in cosmetic dentistry today. Today the gender ratio of people receiving cosmetic dental care is 60% women and 40% men. While women still outnumber men having cosmetic treatment, the gap is narrowing. Don’t assume that men would not be interested in a whiter, brighter, more attractive smile. Many are!
- 49% of people having cosmetic dentistry fall between the ages of 31-50. There is your sweet spot. While people of almost any age could be interested in and benefit from cosmetic dentistry, almost half of the people that have this treatment fall between the ages of 31-50. You can use this information many ways, including planning marketing initiatives targeted to the age group most interested in these services.
There has never been a better time to help your patients enjoy great oral health and have the smile of their dreams. Take a look at the AACD report as further inspiration. Keep Smiling!
