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Professional News Articles : FRONT DESK by Mary M. Byers, CAE : Personalize your reception area

Personalize your reception area

August 2, 2007

If you’re looking for something fun and different to brighten up your reception area, how about a bulletin board designed to reflect your practice? The following tips will help you create one that’s fun, memorable and unique.

Ask a staff member to become the “Bulletin Board Captain.” This person should be someone who is creative and enjoys this type of activity. Or, perhaps you have a Creative Memories or Stampin’ Up (or other creative arts) representative among your patients who would be willing to do your board for you in exchange for a small advertisement in the corner.

Draft a list of themes for the year. How about a board featuring your patients, including the youngest patient, the doctor’s first patient, the patient who has the most unique hobby, etc.? Involve staff members by asking them to help brainstorm other patient categories. (Of course, you’ll want to get permission from patients before posting their photos.)

During the summer, your board could feature a map of the United States with push pins for patients to indicate where they’ll be vacationing. This is a fun, interactive and interesting theme. November could feature a “What our patients are thankful for” theme, for which patients are asked to list their names and what they appreciate. Another possibility is an “In the News” theme where news clippings featuring current patients are posted. Or, how about asking staff to bring in baby photos for a “Cutest Baby Contest” for which patients are the judges?

If you have artistic patients, ask them to lend you one or more pieces of artwork for display on the board. This is an especially good way to include the teens in your practice.

Set a schedule for theme changes. The board is less likely to be neglected if you have a schedule of themes and the dates the board will change. If contributions are necessary from staff and/or patients, ask for them at least three weeks prior to making the change. This will ensure you’ll have what you need when you need it.

Change the board often. At the minimum, you’ll want to change the board twice a year to keep in sync with your recall cycle. But if the board creates interest and fun in the waiting area, consider changing it more often.

Get creative. Save wrapping paper, raffia, fringe, material and other items for the board. Reuse any lettering or special decorations you purchase or create for the board. This is environmentally friendly and a good way to keep expense to a minimum.

Give credit. Post a small notice in the corner of the board with the name of the individual who created the board.

Enjoy it yourself. Though bulletin boards may see “old fashioned” in our high tech world, they are still a great way to share information and enable individuals to learn about each other. Be sure to take time to enjoy what happens on the board in YOUR reception area. Make it a reflection of you and your patients and you’ll find the experience becomes both fun and memorable.

CDS presents Front Desk, a column addressing problems dentists and staff members experience in the office. Front Desk is prepared by Mary M. Byers, CAE, a professional speaker and freelance writer. Ms. Byers may be reached at mbyers@marybyers.com or www.marybyers.com. Send suggestions for topics to be covered to review@cds.org.

Copyright 2007, Chicago Dental Society