The most important calls to your dental practice come when nobody is there to answer them. A 2024 PatientPop study confirmed that 62% of new patient calls to dental practices occur outside business hours — evenings, weekends, and lunch hours. These are not existing patients confirming appointments. These are new patients actively choosing a dentist.
Why After-Hours Calls Matter More Than You Think
New patients research dentists after work, often between 6 PM and 9 PM. They shortlist 2-3 practices, then call. The first practice that provides a real conversation — not voicemail — gets the appointment 85% of the time (Forbes, 2023). Your after-hours phone coverage is literally your most important patient acquisition channel.
The Options
Voicemail (Free — but costly)
80% of new patients who reach voicemail hang up and call the next practice. You save $0 on the phone system and lose $249,600/year in new patient revenue (20 after-hours calls/week x 80% hangup x $300/patient x 52 weeks).
Answering Service ($200-$1,500/month)
A human answers, takes a message, and emails it to you. You return the call in the morning — by which time the patient has already booked elsewhere. Answering services cost $0.75-$1.50/minute and cannot book appointments, check insurance, or access your schedule.
AI Dental Receptionist ($499/month)
An AI receptionist like Hazel answers every after-hours call with a natural voice. She schedules new patient appointments directly into Open Dental or Dentrix, handles insurance questions, triages emergencies, and fills cancellations from your waitlist. Unlimited calls, no per-minute fees, HIPAA compliant.
Stop losing new patients to voicemail. Hazel answers every after-hours call, books appointments, and fills cancellations — automatically.
Connect Your PMS — Free 30-Day Pilot→