Planning to choose some new music for your patients to hear while they are on  hold? Ideally, no one would ever have to wait long enough for music to be necessary, but we all know that just isn't so.  Indeed, researchers tell us that the average person spend almost 45 hours per year waiting on hold!

Though music played on hold is meant to soothe, it actually drives people nuts—and some of the music you might think is best may well have scored on the top 10 most annoying "on hold" tunes. One study of 1000 respondents reported that the winner for "most irritating" category went to "Greensleeves."  The next four, in order of their irritation factor, were "Nessun Dorma" performed by Pavarotti, Simply The Best, sung by Tina Turner, "Memory"/anything by Andrew Lloyd Webber and "The Entertainer." 

 The best music choice may be no music at all. "On hold" times provide a wonderful opportunity to market your services. You could write and record your own message, but it's usually best to hire a professional to deliver the information. You could start with a general message about your practice, followed by more specific information about each of the cosmetic dental services you offer.

Music as a soothing strategy has passed its peak. Use the time to do something more productive!