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Never miss an important call, so you can tend to patients in your chair or your life after work

We provide after-hours and emergency dental office answering services, on-call dispatching, appointment scheduling, and virtual receptionist services, so you never miss another patient call. This lets you maintain the highest standards of care no matter how small your office is, and it ensures patients receive the attention they need when you or your staff aren’t able to get to the phone.

There are better alternatives to voicemail and automated systems, which at best are too impersonal and at worst could put a patient at risk.

A tailored answering solution from CMS gives you the advantage of our 50 years of developing answering services for healthcare providers, including dentists, orthodontists, periodontists, and oral surgeons. Our highly trained operators can take your calls 24/7, 365 days of the year.

Happy dental patient
Picture of CMS customer service agent wearing a headset and taking calls in our call center

We tailor dentist answering services to your unique practice

We understand that dental offices are all unique in their specialties and the patients they serve. No matter what type of practice you maintain, our dental answering services are customized to your needs.

We can create a reliable and cost-effective way for patients to reach you for emergencies on the weekend or cover your front desk when your assistant is seeing patients with you. This backup helps prevent burnout and turnover in your staff, and your dental assistant gets to do what they were trained to do — not answer phones.

Whether you’re a solo practice or a large dental office, the CMS team provides that essential link between you and whomever is calling. For instance, if a patient with a new implant is experiencing pain or bleeding at night, our phone answering service operators can follow your protocol to address the situation, whether that’s reaching you at home or directing the patient to meet an on-call dentist at your clinic. We are experienced and professional when it comes to sending urgent cases to the ER or instructing them to call 911 for assistance.

Dental Call Answering Service Features

Dental Phone Answering Service & Call Center Solutions

Our answering service for dentists brings you options and technology that lets you maximize the patient experience and run your practice efficiently. As well as dealing with after-hours patient emergencies and questions, the solutions CMS offers let you make the most of staffing and reduce distractions and interruptions while seeing patients. Our services tailored for dental practitioners can be customized to how you prefer to manage your office, including:

Dental Virtual Receptionists and 24/7 Live Call Answering

Having your phones manned during office hours offers many benefits to your practice, but it’s tough to prevent calls from slipping through sometimes. Perhaps you like to keep your staffing lean for budgetary purposes, or your regular receptionist is out on leave or vacation. Asking your dental tech to do double duty isn’t the right answer.

A virtual receptionist or live call answering service can let your office function just as if there were someone sitting at your front desk. Patients get the attention they need. Other important callers, like referrals, laboratories, and supply vendors are addressed too, so your practice runs like clockwork without you or the patients in your chair being disturbed.

Virtual receptionist on the phone
Agents in a call center with icons that represent 24 hour service, afterhours service, and weekend availability

After-Hours Answering

Dental problems rarely happen at convenient times. Whether it’s a teenager having issues with new orthodonture or a regular patient who just broke multiple teeth at a weekend softball tournament, your patients want to reach you immediately when they have a question or emergency. However, if you have a small practice, or if the incident occurs after-hours, this may not be possible.

Our dental call answering service can take those after-hours calls for you as well as calls that come when you’re with another patient. Using your triage preferences, the pros at our dental after-hours answering service can capture messages and pass them on to you via text, pager, phone call, or email, schedule appointments, or direct patients to emergency treatment at your office or elsewhere.

Emergency and On-Call Dispatching

Emergencies that strike when you’ve got another patient in the chair or when you’re out of the clinic are often the most confounding problem for dental practitioners. Is a patient who just had a tooth extracted in danger of losing too much blood? Does someone with an abscess need antibiotics and pain medication before morning?

You tell us how you want these calls triaged, and we set up an algorithm and script accordingly. We assure each emergency call is handled quickly and accurately. That might mean reaching out to an on-call dentist after-hours or making sure you get a message as soon as you’re done with your current patient. In some cases, instructing the patient to visit the emergency room or call 911 is the appropriate solution.

Call center agent facing his computer with icons representing time sensitive calls, alerts, and call filtering/screening
Image of a person on their smartphone surrounded by icons for calendar, phone calls, and booking revenue

Dental Office Appointment Scheduling

Whether a patient calls after the office has closed for the day or while you’re tending to another patient, you don’t want to miss a request for an appointment. Not only does this affect your revenue, but it also gives a poor impression to new patients and frustrates established ones. And you don’t want your dental assistant leaving your side to get the phone, as that can compromise patient care at the moment and create an equally negative experience.

Our team can schedule appointments with ease for you. Just like with after-hours and emergency calls, we follow your directions for how you would like these calls managed. Our sophisticated software keeps track of everything and integrates with your other communication platforms for the ultimate in efficiency.

Auto Attendant and IVR

While automated phone services aren’t generally preferable for the kind of personal touch you desire to give your dental patients, there are times when they’re appropriate. Our IVR (interactive voice response) and auto attendant services can fill in when reaching a live person isn’t necessary.

The dental offices with whom we collaborate typically use these services for things like prescreening messages, on-hold messaging, and appointment reminders. You can also use automated services for phone trees to reach various members of a large office and for tasks like providing pre-recorded office hours and directions to the clinic.

Image of a finger pressing the number 0 on a dial pad surrounded by icons that represent a phone tree and touchpad options
Image of a busy office with icons representing time, speed, capacity, and a receptionist taking calls

Overflow Answering Service for Dentists

If your dental office is like most, business ebbs and flows with the calendar. You might get a flurry of calls at the end of the year from people needing to use their flexible spending accounts before the deadline. Holidays, graduations, and back to school can also bring more patients to your phone lines than normal.

Never miss a call with overflow answering from CMS. We can pick up the slack during certain busy times of the year or when you’re low on staff. We’ll always make sure the most critical calls get the immediate attention they deserve, with you instructing us as to how to handle patients on the phone. Patients won’t get aggravated by being put on long holds, and your staff can get a breather when they need one.

24/7/365

Availability

100%

Customizable

3,000+

Clients

99.99%

Uptime Guarantee

How Your Dental Practice Can Benefit from a Phone Answering Service

While it’s true that people depend on digital technology a lot when it comes to communication, nothing beats live answering services by CMS if you want to keep your customers, convert leads, grow your client database, and drive business profitability. We can help you:

Providing a 24/7 personal touch

Making sure your dental clinic phone is never unanswered lets you offer a personal touch to your patients. It also ensures other people you wish to speak with, like busy colleagues with a referral, don’t reach a voicemail or have to go back and forth with messages.

Emergency call handling

You will know all your emergency calls are handled and that patients reach a live person who can triage the call appropriately. This gets patients the care they need urgently, and it protects you from potential liability.

Reducing clinician and staff burnout

You and your staff can get run ragged trying to be available 24/7 every day of the year. Guard your personal life and prevent office turnover from frustrated dental techs who are overwhelmed with phone duties.

Cost savings

An answering service for dentists can help you make the most of your budget, no matter what size your practice is. Reduce the need for front office staff or temps when your receptionist is out.

Eliminate distractions and errors

A ringing phone is a distraction when you’re treating patients, which can lead to errors. See your patients in peace when there is no one to answer your phone, and lower your risk of mistakes that could lead to malpractice issues.

Protecting your office’s reputation

No one wants to be the dentist’s office that never answers its phone. Not only does this impact your bottom line, but it also affects how potential patients and existing patients see you. In today’s age of online reviews, you can’t afford to miss calls.

Customers Expect to Reach You By Phone — CMS Ensures You Are Always Available

Calls are preferred for quick service

There’s nothing like a quick phone call to get a customer service concern resolved or addressed right away, so we totally understand why customers want to speak to a real person.

In fact, 50% of consumers (regardless of age) contact customer service using their telephone.4 They don’t want to waste time on an endless cycle of back and forth through email or messaging.

So, when you make sure there’s somebody professional at the end of the line taking care of your customers, you’re also showing them how much you care and value their time.

Graphic with text that reads "76% of customers prefer to contact customer service agents by phone."
Graphic with text that reads "85% of callers who don't get through to you on the first attempt won't call back and will call your competitors."

Don’t help your competition

Did you know that 61% of customers who are in the middle of the buying cycle call the business they’re interested in?5 Can you afford to lose out on valuable leads or prospective customers if you do? And can you bear the thought of them going to your competition?

At CMS, we know the rewards of consistently answering calls, as well as the consequences of ignoring or not being able to attend to other calls. One phone call can make a world of difference to your business, so we won’t be taking any chances. Neither should you.

Protect your reputation

Ever get that awful feeling when no one seems to be available to answer your calls, especially when there’s no other way to resolve your concern?

When people are made to feel ignored, you lose their loyalty. They start to question the credibility and reputation of your brand, so it’s no big mystery why 68% of customers leave a company because they think it doesn’t care.6

With CMS, you can build up your reputation and keep your customers loyal to your brand no matter what.

Graphic with text that reads "67% of people end a call in frustration when they are unable to reach customer support staff."
Graphic with text that reads "80% of callers transferred to voicemail don't leave messages."

Say goodbye to voicemail

Answering machines may have been a novelty the first time they were introduced. Today, however, voicemails are not only considered productivity killers but are also untrustworthy — that is, people assume nobody ever listens to them and that they’ll never get their problem resolved.

Besides, other than baby boomers and Gen Xers, millennials and members of Generation Z probably make up a portion of your market, so it’s useful to know these younger generations can be averse to voicemails.7

So, better not leave phone calls to chance.

Partner up with CMS and see your loyal customer base grow like never before!

Live Answering Services for Every Dental Specialty

We have experience across the entire spectrum of the dental industry. From solo private offices to group practices, corporate DSOs to franchises, we provide custom answering services to every type of dental practice.

Dentist sitting at table with patient going over teeth x-rays

Answering Service for Private Dental Practices

As a private practice dentist, your time is valuable. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or part of a group practice, you’re responsible for everything from scheduling appointments to providing top-notch care to your patients. This can make it difficult to take calls and respond to messages in a timely manner, especially when you’re with a patient or out of the office.

An answering service for private dental practices can help alleviate this burden by handling your calls and messages. Our team of highly-trained, professional receptionists can answer your calls and schedule appointments, freeing up your time to focus on what you do best: providing exceptional dental care to your patients.

We understand that the needs of solo dental practices and group practices can be different, and we tailor our service to accommodate those needs. For example, a group practice may have more involved on-call practices and scheduling needs, and our answering service can help to ensure that the right specialist is being contacted with urgent calls.

With our service, you’ll never have to worry about missing an important call again. Our receptionists will ensure that all your calls are answered promptly and professionally and that important messages are relayed to you promptly. And, with the option for after-hours and weekend coverage, you can rest easy knowing that your practice is always accessible to your patients, even when you’re not there.

Corporate dental practice

Call Center Solutions for Dental Franchises and DSOs

As a dental franchise or DSO, you understand the importance of delivering a seamless patient experience across your locations. However, managing and coordinating calls and appointments for multiple practices can be daunting. That’s where our answering service comes in.

Our team of highly-trained, professional receptionists can help you cut costs and streamline your call center operations across multiple facilities and practices. Our DSO and franchise call center offers highly integrated solutions at scale, complete with in-depth call analytics and reporting, online dashboards, and integration with your software applications.

Our answering service is fully customizable to meet the unique needs of your dental franchise or DSO. We can package and deliver call center solutions to your practices, handling many call center functions, including scheduling appointments, handling patient inquiries, and more. Our receptionists are trained to handle the specific needs of dental practices and can help your franchise deliver a consistent, high-quality patient experience across all your locations.

Our easy-to-use online portal allows you to monitor calls and messages in real time, giving you complete control over the communication services across your organization. This allows you to keep track of all the calls and messages for individual practices and take appropriate actions to ensure that all of your practices and their patients receive the best service possible.

Orthodontist examining patient's braces

Orthodontist Answering Service

Orthodontics is a specialized dentistry field requiring a high level of expertise and attention to detail. As an orthodontist, you understand the importance of maintaining clear and consistent communication with your patients, especially regarding appointments, treatment plans, and progress updates. However, managing and coordinating calls and appointments for your patients can be a daunting task. That’s where our orthodontist answering service comes in.

Our team of highly-trained, professional receptionists can help you manage and coordinate calls and appointments for your patients. Whether callers are scheduling an initial orthodontic evaluation to discuss braces, have questions about Invisalign, or need assistance with other orthodontic treatments, our receptionists can assist with any questions they may have and help schedule appointments. They can also help with patient retention and ensure that your patients stay on track with their treatment plans.

Our answering service includes specialized features such as appointment reminders and follow-up calls. This can be especially important in orthodontics, as consistent and timely adjustments are crucial to achieving the best results. This can help increase patient compliance and reduce missed appointments.

Our service is also fully customizable to meet the unique needs of your orthodontic practice. With our easy-to-use online portal, you can monitor your calls and messages in real time, giving you complete control over your practice’s communication. Plus, with the option for after-hours and weekend coverage, you can ensure that your practice is always accessible to your patients, even when you’re not there.

Surgery team

Oral Surgery Answering Service

Managing and coordinating calls and appointments for an oral surgery practice can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to emergencies and post-surgery follow-ups. Having a reliable answering service that can handle calls with efficiency and urgency is essential, not just for your patients but also for your facility or hospital. Our answering service is designed to meet the specific needs of oral surgeons and their practice.

Our call center agents are trained to handle a wide range of calls, from scheduling appointments and handling patient inquiries to providing assistance during emergency situations. They are equipped to handle initial call triage, post-surgery follow-up calls, and ensure that emergency calls reach the appropriate on-call surgeon promptly. They can also help coordinate calls between facilities and your practice.

We understand that your schedule can be demanding and unpredictable. That’s why we offer 24/7 call center solutions for oral surgeons, so you can rest easy knowing that your practice is always accessible to your patients, even when you’re not there. Our service also includes an easy-to-use online portal, allowing you to monitor your calls and messages in real time, giving you complete control over your practice’s communication.

Integrate Your Existing Systems

We can integrate our answering service with the tools you use daily, making your life easier by streamlining workflows and keeping data synced across applications.

Taking Care of Your Patients When You Can’t

Your patients are the heart of your dental practice. But in today’s busy world, dental specialists can’t always get to the phone when patients call. Partnering with a customized dentist answering service lets you provide that vital personal touch even when you’re with other patients or off work.

With CMS, your dental practice is always just a phone call away. Whether you need support around the clock or just when your office is closed, we customize the best service for you. Our compassionate and knowledgeable professionals respond to your patients with dental call center solutions designed to reflect your practice’s unique needs and style.

HIPAA-Compliant Dental Answering Service

Whenever we take a call for one of our dentist clients, we insist on protecting all private information. Therefore, we offer HIPAA-compliant dental office answering services, which ensures sensitive patient health information (PHI) remains secure and complies with the latest policies and requirements of HIPAA.

A breach of HIPAA policy could put your dental practice at risk for a violation. That’s why our professional phone operators, as “business associates,” must:

  • Safeguard PHI
  • Report any leaks or data breaches
  • Keep a detailed list of internal practices related to PHI security
  • Provide data encryption
  • Educate and regulate staff
  • Limit access to patient data

Our SMS message system has also been tested for HIPAA compliance, as outlined by the American Medical Association.

Live Telephone Answering Services for Dentists

  • Dental Office Virtual Receptionist: Ensure your smiling patients are greeted by a smiling telephone receptionist day and night! Our virtual receptionist for dental practices allows you to maintain a courteous telephone presence without hiring an in-house receptionist or making a dental assistant wear multiple hats. This solution is perfect for small practices looking to build a professional dental office on a budget.
  • Dentist Appointment Scheduling and Reminder Services: Make it easy for patients to schedule cleanings and other appointments by phone, even when the main office is unavailable. Our appointment scheduling service can be integrated with existing systems or used to notify you of requests. It’s the perfect way to schedule appointments when you’re out of the office, or your existing phone lines are too busy. In addition, dentist appointment reminders help make you more money by reducing missed appointments and time lost to rescheduling.
  • After-Hours and Emergency Answering Service for Dentists: What happens when a patient experiences a dental emergency after office hours? Are they forced to go to the emergency room or contact a competitor? With our after-hours and emergency answering services for dentists, you can remain available by phone 24 hours a day without the distraction or expense of having every call answered by you or your staff. Instead, our friendly answering service operators answer calls on your behalf, take patients through a custom script, and dispatch urgent calls to the on-call dentist.

Dentist On-Call Scheduling & Call Dispatching Services

All our live answering services include our web-based on-call scheduling software, which can manage your on-call rotation and ensure that our call center always uses up-to-date, accurate on-call information. Set your on-call rotation in advance, maintain multiple schedules, set personalized contact guidelines for each staff member, and more. This helps to reduce errors by ensuring that we are always dispatching calls to the correct on-call dentist using their personalized instructions.

Extend Your Dental Office Staff

Drawing from more than 50 years of experience serving dental professionals, our fully HIPAA-compliant answering service is an extension of your office. Our highly-trained professionals understand the nuances of a dental practice, are sensitive to the needs of patients and are as engaged in serving your patients as your in-house staff.

We customize our dental answering service options for you, including availability, scripting, and response trees for emergency dental and after-hours dental care. Our experienced CMS team will help create the solutions that perfectly match your unique dental practice to ensure that your patients experience a seamless transition between your in-house staff and CMS.

Ask about our automated solutions to learn how we can save you time and boost patient engagement.

Sources

  1. https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/how-companies-can-improve-phone-call-pickup-rates-2021-1
  2. https://phmg.com/blog/research-reveals-telephone-remains-customers-preferred-method-of-contact/
  3. https://www.mactech.com/2022/03/03/research-reveals-consumers-and-businesses-prefer-voice-calls-to-text-or-email/
  4. https://d1eipm3vz40hy0.cloudfront.net/pdf/cxtrends/cx-trends-2020-full-report.pdf
  5. https://hbr.org/2017/07/your-customers-still-want-to-talk-to-a-human-being
  6. https://ecommco.com/blog/68-percent-believe-you-dont-care.html
  7. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/fashion/millennials-shy-away-from-voice-mail.html