15 Things Every Dental Office Needs to Provide a Next-Level Patient Experience
A fantastic patient experience isn't just an important aspect of your practice, it's a pass/fail test for patients looking for a new dentist.
A fantastic patient experience isn't just an important aspect of your practice, it's a pass/fail test for patients looking for a new dentist. That's why a positive patient experience is what separates the great practices from the 'only ok' ones.
It's a well-known fact that dental patients value comfort and safety above all else. For most of the people walking through your doors, being able to feel relaxed is a good patient experience. Knowing this, it’s easy to go overboard and start paying more for comforts that aren’t really necessary. But going overboard won’t always lead to greater returns, and is often not worth the price. In fact, you can often find everything you need at an affordable price if you know what to look for.
At Wonderist Agency, we’ve compiled a definitive list of all the creature comforts your patients will need. They’re all readily available on Amazon and, best of all, can be purchased together for under $300!
So if you’re looking to establish or improve your practice comforts, take a look at our list below:
15 Comforts Every Dental Office Should Have
Warm Blankets: $16-$25
Ever had a favorite blanket as a child? There’s something inherently comforting about being wrapped in a soft blanket. They also come in a variety of shapes, sizes, patterns, and colors, so you’ll always be able to find some that complement your practice aesthetic.
Our Suggestion: Flannel Fleece Luxury Blankets

Diffusers: $12-$30
There are plenty of scents that help people relax: Ocean air, evergreen forests, chocolate chip cookies... Mmmmm.
Finding the right scent can really make the difference in making a patient feel comfortable. Diffusers help spread scents that promote relaxation and positivity. It may be invisible, but it has a very noticeable impact.
Our Suggestion: Amazon's Best Selling Aromatherapy Diffusers

Essential Oils: $15
These go hand-in-hand with the scent diffuser. Not only are these a wonderful source of aromatherapy, they’re also available with a number of varieties. You can pick and chose the scents that really work for your practice.
Our Suggestion: Amazon's Best Selling Essential Oils

Washcloths: $16 (for 24)
There’s no better feeling after a dental appointment than cleaning off your face with a warm, damp washcloth. It’s a simple way to show you value your patients without needing to break open the piggy bank.
Our Suggestion: Amazon's Best Selling Washcloths

Bottles of Water: $2.10-$24 (~$.01 per ounce)
Having something to sip on helps people who are nervous or anxious. The colder, the better.
Our Suggestion: Aquafina Water

Keurig: $59-$150
For many people, coffee is an essential part of their day and helps prepare them for the day. A Keurig machine is low maintenance and will get a lot of mileage from all your patients, and maybe some staff, too.
Our Suggestion: Amazon's Keurig Brewers

Keurig Pods: $19-30 (~$0.90 per pod)
Single serving sizes, a variety of flavors, affordable prices, what more could you ask for?
Our Suggestion: Keurig Variety Pods

Cups: $23.39 ($0.15/Cups)
It’s hard to go wrong with coffee cups. Just make sure they never run out!
Our Suggestion: Amazon's Top Picks for Coffee Cups

Stir sticks: $6-$15
Our Suggestion: Amazon's Best Selling Stirring Sticks

Cream: $5.50-$35
Our Suggestion: Amazon's Best Selling Coffee Creamers

Sugar: $7.50-$45
Our Suggestion: Sugar in the Raw

Bulk Snacks: $18-$30
Snacks in the waiting room will help any patients of yours that are nervous eaters. It’s also a blessing for any parents or family members who have to wait while their family is being cared for. While it’s hard to know everyone’s favorite snack, a variety pack will ensure that there’s something for everyone.
Our Suggestion: Amazon's Top Selection of Snack Packages

Or if you’re interested in a healthier alternative:

Magazine Subscription: $5 each
Magazine subscriptions have never been more affordable. With sites like Amazon, you can pick and chose the issues you want or change your subscription at any time. This is the perfect time to ensure that there’s something for everyone in your waiting room.
Amazon's Magazine subscriptions
Noise Cancelling Headphones: $40-$100
Not every piece of dental equipment sounds safe or peaceful. Noise canceling headphones help distract patients from these sounds and give them something else to focus on.
Our Suggestion: Amazon's Best Selling Noise Canceling Headphones

Netflix Subscription: $14pm
Now that most practices have TVs, it’s time to realize that Netflix is the best option for having something on-screen. It’s cheaper than cable, has an enormous catalog of movies and series, and can be changed based on your patient’s interests.
Total: ~$300
Feel free to use this list and share it with friends! With the right creature comforts, you can treat your patients like royalty without having to spend like they are.
If you are just getting your practice started and are looking to increase brand awareness, contact the dental marketing team at Wonderist today. We'd love to help you grow your practice!