Fundraisers continued.....

Jewelry Party

Another fundraiser we organized was a jewelry party, held on a Friday evening in our office.  During down-time, we would make various styles of jewelry like necklaces and bracelets and even a few pieces of children's jewelry.  It's great to get your whole staff involved in making the pieces of jewelry, because each of us has our own taste and unique style - and so will your shoppers.  Turn your office into a boutique with decorations and creatively display what you've made.  Have all items priced ahead of time and send invitations to ladies in your practice, friends, and family members for a "girls night" of shopping and hors d'oeuvres.  Tell them to bring their friends and get ready for a fun time out.  Remember to be good hostesses-dress up for your party and have as many staff members participate as possible!

Golf Tournament

 Our golf tournament fundraiser definitely required the most planning, but it also turned out to be the most successful event-with the most donations raised for our dental mission.  We visited local businesses in our community with donation forms and freshly baked cookies in hand, and asked store managers and owners for their support.  For local businesses, we asked them for a gift certificate,  prize donation, or for a monetary donation to sponsor a hole. In turn, they would receive recognition and advertisement at that particular hole.

Of course, we let our patients know about our tournament and invited them to join us for a fun day of golf.  Within several months, we had all of our holes sponsored, and had some great prizes to give away to winners in several categories. 

Our staff and Amber's father catered the event (yes we made all the food!) and our golfers enjoyed a great meal after their day of golf.

We were all exhausted by the end of the day, but felt like a million bucks when we saw the fruits of our labor.

 

Fabulous Fundraisers

Whether you want to organize fundraisers for a small, local cause, or if you want to raise a large amount for a future dental mission - early planning is a must!  Fundraisers do require forethought and effort, but they are a great way to get your team members and your local community involved in accomplishing your goal. 



Tips for getting started:

*Identify how much money you need to raise

*Brainstorm as a team for what type of fundraisers would best fit into your local community

*Get friends, family, and your patients involved by  posting newspaper press releases, sending flyers in pt  bags, and most importantly, talking about it - let them see your excitement!


*Talk to your colleagues and your doctor's associates and specialists you have a close relationship with about making a donation

*Speak with different representatives regarding  product donations

Fundraisers we organized:

Yard Sale/Bake Sale

Have your staff donate unwanted items in good condition for the yard sale - there may even be items around your office that you aren't using. (Please get your doctor's permission first)  Bake up a storm!  We made items ranging from easy cereal bars to layered cakes.  Portion your baked goods in individual packaging.

If possible, hold your event when there is a community yard sale or other town event to get the most traffic. 

Dental Mission to Vietnam

One of our mission sites-a school yard

Is your practice already "standing out"? Are you proud of the services you offer and do you have close relationships with your patients?  If the answer is yes - that's great!  But how often do we really take the time to step outside our office and experience the community that we're a part of? 


Or, think even bigger and participate in a dental mission with your co-workers.  A dental mission can bring people from different backgrounds together to support a great cause. 


Whether you decide to start in your local community, or go international, giving back will benefit you and the members of your team in many ways.  One benefit is simply team building.  As you work together with a central purpose, it will bring you closer together as a team.  It's one thing to be with each other during a typical work day, but team building outside of the office causes you to let your guard down and get to know the people you work with in new ways. 

Another benefit of giving back is the obvious effect your efforts will have on those who are less fortunate.  There are so many things in our lives that we daily take for granted, and serving others together, truly gives you a new perspective and out-look on life. It will make you appreciate what you have even more.

Get your patients involved!  Tell them what you're planning and let them see you being active in your community.  Let's face it - some of our patients only think of us in our sterile work environment.  Have you ever had the experience of seeing one of them at your local grocery store?  You recognize them, and politely wave and say with a smile, "Hi Mr. so and so!" And they don't even recognize you!  Our patients need to see that "human" side.  And if you're already great at doing that, then view this as another great opportunity to stand out from the '"average Joe" and let them see your passion come to life through your compassion for others.  If you're planning to travel, let your patients know.  Ask them for their support and show them how they can get involved through fundraisers.  They will love supporting you and will cheer you on!

Gina assisting with extractions

Nine months ago,  for sixteen days, we traveled to Vietnam for our first dental mission with Operation Smile.  Six months prior, we started planning our trip.  We knew it sounded ambitious and that we would need to raise a lot of money to get there, but everyone on our staff agreed that we had to do it.  We were scared, nervous, and worried, but most of all - excited!  And that's what made it all happen.  We were united as a team and driven with one goal - get to Vietnam and provide free dentistry to impoverished children.  Don't get me wrong - it was a lot of work.  But with the help and support of our patients, colleagues, friends, family, and local community, we made it happen.  And you can too! Are we suggesting that everyone should plan a trip like this? - Not necessarily. 

Amber and Dr. Cockley providing restorative care 

But whether you start big or small, it all matters and it will all make a huge difference in some one's life.  In posts to come, we'll let you know exactly how we did it by sharing ideas for fundraisers and how to gain the support of your patients and your local community. 

"Everyone will notice.......but no one will know!"

Dr. Cockley is now offering Botox and Juvederm services to our patients who would like to improve their appearance or enhance their natural beauty.

As a dentist, Dr. Cockley has the main advantage of being able to administer anesthetic directly around the patient's mouth so the procedure is virtually pain free.  State laws for certification and administering these products do vary so check with your state for restrictions. Once certified, your doctor can easily add these services into your practice.

How does it work?

Botox works by reducing muscle activity that causes persistent wrinkles to form between the brows, along the forehead, and laugh lines or crows feet along the eyes. 

Juvederm works by bringing back your skin's volume and smoothing away wrinkles and folds. It is commonly used in the nasolabial folds and to plump lips. Patients will see instant results with Juvederm - who doesn't love that?

Though Botox and Juvederm can easily be done within your daily schedule, hosting a "Botox Party" for your patients can be a lot of fun.  There are several advantages of hosting a party - you don't have the sounds of the regular "hustle and bustle" going on in your office, you can create a very relaxing spa-like atmosphere, and patients can bring their friends.  If a patient brings a friend, they may be curious and watch their  procedure. The experience will help them to gain valuable information and they may consider Botox or Juvederm services for themselves in the future.  

"Botox Party" Ideas:

*Send invitations to patients, family, and friends

*Have light refreshments available

*Create a spa atmosphere with candles, flowers, and  soothing music

*Have ice packs and post-op instructions ready

*Dress up! Don't come in your scrubs

*Offer paraffin wax hand treatments to your patients in the reception area

*Have your staff members discuss procedures and answer any questions

*Have your patients fill out applicable consent forms

*Some of your staff should be available in the reception area to chat with your patients and make them feel comfortable while other patients are being seen

*Take before photos - have your patients come back 2-3 weeks later for after photos

Your patients aren't going to know that you are offering these services unless you make it known.  Begin the conversation by telling them about your doctor's latest certification in Botox and Juvederm. Ask your patients if they are interested in learning more, or if they know a friend or family member who is.  Your patients would be more inclined to come to your office to get these procedures done - remember to tell your patients that your doctor will be able to numb the area so they are totally comfortable. Your doctor should also perform these services on staff members - your face will advertise the results your patients may be looking for.

Pamper Your Patients!

Does this sound familiar? You greet your next patient in the reception area with a big smile and a "Hello! How are you today?" - and you're greeted back with a, "I hate coming to the dentist -no offense," "I'd rather be at the gynecologist office," or "Awful! What do you expect? -I'm at the dentist."  

Doesn't that make you feel great?  Let's face it - there aren't too many people that look forward to their dental appointment.  We work in this environment every day and become immune to the sights, sounds, and smells.  We can easily forget what it's like for our patients until it's our turn to be one. 

Paraffin hand treatment station

Our job is to break down that barrier and create an environment where our patients have a relaxing, enjoyable experience.  Create that "new patient" experience for everyone - each time they enter your office.  There are many economical and affordable services that you can offer your patients to create a spa-like experience. Whether your patient is fearful, stressed, a busy mom or dad rushing in, or someone who's had a long work day - everyone loves to be pampered and they are going to love you for it!

We regularly offer our patients:

Anxiety-free dental appointment

*Heated, aromatherapy neck wraps  and eye/forehead pillow 

*Headphones

*Paraffin wax hand treatments

*Memory foam chair cushions with knee and lumbar pillows

*Scented aromatherapy candles

*Sunglasses, and blankets

Stand Out! - Add Kids' Day to Your Dental Practice

Dr. Cockley as a Lifeguard

Although Dr. Cockley does excellent cosmetic dentistry in our practice, family dentistry is a priority.  We cater to the youngest of our patients by having a "Kids' Day" four times per year.  This day is geared toward children age eight and younger and gives them a fun, positive experience in the dental office.

Each Kids' Day has it's own party theme and our entire staff dresses in costumes.  There are prizes, decorations, and lots of pictures being taken to make it a special day.  Because children in this age group can be seen in a relatively short period of time, Kids' Day frees up the hygiene schedule for adult appointments and keeps your schedule more consistent.  On average, in an eight hour day, we see 60-80 children.

Amber and Gina - Beach Day

How do we do it?

*Schedule your first Kids' Day when most children will be off school for a holiday - this also makes things more convenient for parents. 

*Make and send personalized invitations to each child - one week prior to their appointment ( the children love getting mail personally addressed to them)

*Put up all decorations the night before, if possible

*All operatories in the practice are used for hygiene that day

*Assistants seat each patient, update x-rays, and sit with patient until the next hygienist is available

*Hygienists move from room to room as needed, doing child prophies

*Dr. Cockley performs exam and applies the fluoride varnish

Pirates and Princesses Theme

*Assistant walks patient to the front desk and informs the patient's parent of any further treatment needed

*When not with a patient, assistants continuously "flip" rooms and sterilize instruments



*We also have small routing slips that we print just for that day to keep track of services provided, and any added notes that need to be recorded in the patient's chart

*Hygienists record chart notes at the end of the day or next day and refer back to the routing slips

*We consider children age three and younger a "happy visit" and do not charge them for this visit

Party Ideas:
*We find affordable decorations and prizes at orientaltrading.com and partycheap.com

*Have an area designated for parents, where you offer water, tea, coffee and snacks

*Make prize bags ahead and include hygiene supplies and a prize

Pajama Party Theme

*Hire a "balloon slinger" to make creative balloon animals and keep the kids entertained

*Or - Hire an artist to do face painting

*Take lots of photos throughout the day - the kids love seeing their photos displayed in the office at their next visit

Amber, Gina, and Christa

 - Kids' Day is also a great way to gain new patients.  Many parents hear about our Kids' Days from their friends and schedule their children for their first visit.  Many end up becoming new patients themselves because they had a great experience with their children.

 - Let your local newspaper know about your upcoming Kids' Day - they may write up an article about your office.  It's great free advertising.