Special offers – be careful and remember that the General Dental Council specifically outlaw any financial incentives to patients for treatment or recommendations to others.

The only thing that seems to be waved through is the discount voucher and this is widely used – especially for the simpler cosmetics like tooth whitening.

It’s not cheesy – it’s retail – look around the stores and the press – buy now, pay nothing until 2008 and all that jazz.

On vouchers, make sure they are printed to include:

1. time denominated – offer closes by XX date and

2. specifially one per person.

Believe me – I’ve heard dentists tell me about patients who have arrived with a set of 3-year old vouchers that were given to 3 or 4 family members and claim free treatment!