Marketing in dentistry--have we got it right?

Area of Science:

• Dental Practice Management
• Healthcare Marketing

Background:

• Dentists often perceive marketing as a purely commercial endeavor, conflicting with their professional ethics.
• There's a perceived tension between the 'caring' nature of dentistry and the 'commercial' aspects of marketing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address unspoken concerns dentists have about adopting marketing strategies.
• To reconcile the practice of marketing with the core values of patient care in dentistry.

Main Methods:

• A collaborative discussion between a dentist and a marketing consultant.
• Addressing common skepticism towards marketing in the dental profession.

Main Results:

• Identifies reasons for dentists' reluctance to embrace marketing.
• Argues that marketing, when practiced ethically, aligns with and enhances patient care.

Conclusions:

• True marketing in dentistry is fundamentally about caring for patients.
• Adopting a marketing approach can lead to improved quality of clinical care and strengthen the profession.