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DSOs, dentists, and office staff are under constant pressure to improve patient outcomes while reducing operational costs. One area that’s often overlooked when seeking ways to increase efficiency is the dental IT support team.
Technology has revolutionized how we practice dentistry, but it has also introduced new challenges. As our reliance on technology grows, so does our need for reliable and efficient dental IT support.
The right local dental IT support team can be a valuable asset to your practice, but how do you know if they’re the right fit for you? If you’re considering switching to a new dental IT support team or simply trying to better understand their services, this article presents 13 questions you should ask them.
But first, let’s look at what dental IT support entails.
Dental IT support can oversee all the technology-related needs of a dental practice. These needs include everything from setting up new hardware and software to troubleshooting technical issues and providing training on various dental software programs.
A great dental IT support team will be familiar with dentistry’s specific software and hardware. It will be able to assist with anything from practice management software (PMS) to dental radiology systems.
There are many benefits to having a dental IT support team, but here are a few of the most important:
With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that more dental practices are turning to dental IT support teams. But with so many prospects, how do you pick the right one?
Before you sign on the dotted line, here are the questions you should ask your potential dental IT support team:
1. What Services Do You Offer?
You’ll first want to know what services your potential dental IT support team offers. This insight will help you determine whether they’re a good fit for your needs. Some of the services they may offer include:
It’s important to find out what services they offer to ensure they can meet your needs.
2. What Are Your Prices?
This inquiry is vital so that you can budget accordingly. Some dental IT support teams charge hourly, while others charge a flat monthly fee. There may also be additional costs for certain services. Make sure to get all the pricing information upfront, so there are no surprises later.
Also, ask about any discounts they offer. Some dental IT support teams provide discounts for annual contracts or for signing up for multiple services.
3. Do You Offer Automated Services?
Automation is key in any dental practice. It helps to increase efficiency and productivity while reducing errors. Proper automation also frees up staff members to focus on more important tasks.
When it comes to dental IT support, you’ll want to find a team that offers automated services. This approach means they should be able to automatically install software updates and manage backups, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Automation can save you a good deal of time and hassle in the long run, so it’s something to look for in a dental IT support team.
4. What Programs Are You Familiar with?
Since dental IT support encompasses all the technology-related needs of a dental practice, it’s important to find a team familiar with the specific software and hardware used in dentistry.
Open Dental and Dentrix are two of the most popular dental software programs. If your potential dental IT support team is unfamiliar with either of these programs, it’s a good idea to keep looking.
5. Do You Offer On-Site Support?
While many dental IT support teams offer remote support, you’ll want to find one that also provides on-site support. This way, if there’s ever an issue that can’t be resolved remotely, someone will be able to come to your office and take care of it.
On-site support is especially important if you have complex dental software or hardware. Having someone on-site who is familiar with your specific setup can save you a lot of time and frustration.
6. What Are Your Support Hours?
Some dental IT support teams only offer support during regular business hours, while others provide 24/7 support. Ideally, you’ll want to find a team that offers 24/7 support. This way, if you ever have an issue outside of regular business hours, you’ll still be able to get the help you need.
7. What’s Your Backup Plan?
Backing up your data is fundamental in any business but is especially important in dentistry. Losing patient data can be costly and can also damage your reputation.
That’s why you’ll want to find a dental IT support team with a robust backup plan. This way, should anything ever happen to your data, you can rest assured that it will be backed up and safe.
8. Do You Have Any References?
When you’re looking for any service provider, checking references is always a good idea — especially when it comes to dental IT support. Ask your potential dental IT support team for references from other dentists they’ve worked with. This insight will offer you an idea of the quality of their work and whether they’re a good fit for your practice.
9. What’s Your Experience in Dentistry?
You want to find a dental IT support team that has experience working with dental practices. The team should be familiar with the specific needs of dentists and be able to provide the services you need.
While it’s good to support small businesses that are just starting out, you’ll want to find a team with a few years of experience. This way, you can be assured they know what they’re doing and will be able to support your practice.
The last thing you want is to end up working with a team that doesn’t understand your industry and can’t provide the level of support you need.
10. What’s Your Pricing Structure?
You need to find a dental IT support team that fits within your budget. There are various pricing structures, so take the time to find one that works for you. Make sure you ask about any ongoing fees.
Understandably, it might be tempting to go with the cheapest option, but in this case, you’ll want to find a team that offers a good value for the price. Balance cost against features and services to find the best option for your practice.
11. What’s Included in Your Service?
When looking at dental IT support teams, you’ll want to find one that offers comprehensive service. This way, you can be confident that the team will take care of all of your needs.
Some dental IT support teams only offer basic services, while others will go above and beyond to ensure your practice runs smoothly. Finding a team that can provide the level of service you need is essential.
For instance, if you’re looking for a dental IT support team that can also help with marketing, find one that offers services like website design and search engine optimization. This way, you can kill two birds with one stone and get the support you need to grow your practice.
12. What’s Your Turnaround Time?
This inquiry is important because you need to find a dental IT support team that can respond to your needs quickly. The last thing you want is an issue that takes days or weeks to resolve.
Ideally, you’ll want to find a dental IT support team that can resolve issues within 24 hours. That way, if something ever happens, you won’t have to wait long for it to be fixed.
13. Do You Offer Support Outside of Business Hours?
Lastly, you’ll want to find a dental IT support team that offers support outside business hours. This way, if you ever have an issue outside of normal business hours, you’ll still be able to get the help you need.
Finding the right dental IT support team is essential if you want to grow your practice. Keep these questions in mind when hunting for a team to work with, and you’ll find one that fits your needs well.
Zenith Dental IT is a comprehensive dental IT support team that offers a wide range of services to help you grow your practice. We provide expert support, competitive pricing, and 24/7 support to ensure your practice is running smoothly. Click here to learn more about how we can help your dental practice succeed.
