The necessity of having a periodontal website has only become recognized in the past five years. In the last two years dental website growth has been exponential and this trend is expected to continue for at least the next ten years. Periodontal websites are becoming mainstream for a number of reasons. The top ten are:

#1 More Than Three Quarters of Americans Use the Internet

The USC Internet Project*, which surveys Internet usage, reported in September 2004 that 75.9% of all Americans went online in 2003. It also found that the average number of hours online increased to 12.5 hours per week and 65.1% of all users now have Internet access at home.

* The UCLA Internet Report: Surveying the Digital Future - Year Three (www.ccp.ucla.edu)

#2 The Internet is Becoming a Medical-Dental Medium

The same UCLA study reported the following:

	Studying medical (including dental) information is the 7th most popular Internet activity.
	Not surprisingly, the highest levels of Internet use are for those age 24 and under, with use among those age 18 and under approaching 100 percent.

#3 Patients are Going to the Internet First

Patients have learned that going to the Internet first can help them make more informed decisions.
Many dentists have found their websites are reviewed before patients come in.

#4 The Internet is Rapidly Replacing the Yellow Pages

A website is miles ahead of the Yellow Pages and the public has found this out. On your website, a new patient can learn about you and your practice. He can see pictures of you, learn about procedures, and get a map showing the best driving directions. If he has a question, he can e-mail you.

#5 Getting Started on the Internet is Simple and Low Cost

Developing a website (at least with us) is actually less expensive than a Yellow Page ad and is a one-time expense. You can start with a simple site and modify it as needs increase.

#6 Websites are Professional

Websites are informational in nature and not “advertising”. Creating a periodontal website with us
guarantees that you will be presented in a professional manner. Patients will appreciate your website because it will help them get to know you and answer their most frequently asked questions.

#7 Websites are State of the Art

Top periodontists project an up-to-date full service image. Having a well-designed website enhances your image. You may have advanced training, the latest equipment and wonderful facilities, but patients may never know unless your website tells them. In some locations, you may also have the opportunity to be the first periodontist in the area who has a website.

Having a website can improve your image with referral sources. In the future more GPs will be using e-mail and sending digital x-rays over the internet. Your website will be designed to promote referral growth.

#8 Websites Enhance New Patient Arrival

A continual frustration for periodontists is that many patients are referred but never arrive. No-schedules and no-shows often occur because patients have concerns (eg. pain, finance, etc). By having your website address on your referral slip, you give patients a chance to go to your site and have their concerns answered. Our sites are designed to help patients get to know you, assure them, and motivate them to arrive for their initial examination.

One of our periodontists (www.chicagoperiodontal.com) commented that a number of new patients have marked “website” or “Internet” in the referral section of their intake forms.

#9 Websites Enhance Case Acceptance

Another frustration for periodontists is patients who want to wait before committing to treatment (e.g. to discuss it with their spouse, wait for pre-d, think about it, etc.). A well-designed site can educate and motivate patients to start treatment right away. A spouse may not have come to the consultation but you can ask the patient to review certain sections of your website with him/her. Our websites can help increase case acceptance.

#10 Websites are Here to Stay

The Internet and websites are not just a passing fad. They are an established and growing part of our current culture. It is no longer a question of, “Should I have a website?” Unless you are planning to retire in the next few years, the question really is, “When should I get a website?” The answer is now.

If You Would Like More Information

We would be happy to send more information on creating a website for you or modifying your existing one. We have in-house staff devoted solely to creating, modifying, and hosting professional websites. And as periodontal marketing specialists, we will show you how your website can be integrated into your overall marketing activities with success.

Regarding Fees

We don't believe you should have to spend $5-7,000 for a periodontal website. Our fees for website creation, modification, and hosting are quite modest.

It Starts With a Consultation

If you are considering a website, the first step would be a no-charge consultation to understand how you would like to be presented on the web and give you samples of similar sites we have developed. Call (877) 957-5390, or click here for a free web site consultation today

We look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

George Bristol
Periodontal Consultant