You always knew you wanted to be a dentist and own your own dental practice someday. You have been through the steps to receive your license to practice dentistry and have the skills you need to be a successful dentist. The decision to start your own dental practice is one of the most pivotal decisions you will ever make. Now you must gain the business acumen to make your dream a reality. To begin, you must realize it all must start with top-notch dental care being provided to patients on a consistent basis. Every patient who enters your dental practice will attract other patients to you. This is how you become profitable and is the key to your success.
You must base every decision you make, from staffing to marketing, upon the satisfactory treatment of the patient. Patients will then create referrals that will be the lifeline of your business and set you apart from other dental practices in the area. This will help you lay a solid foundation for your business and its growth in the future.
Why Is Your Practice Unique?
The top characteristic that sets your practice apart from the rest can attract and retain a large number of patients. Whatever this characteristic is in your dental practice can establish your practice as the best oral health care provider in your community. Determine what attributes or services make your practice unique and promote those things on a consistent basis through marketing. In order to build awareness of your practice, advertise through newsletters, postcards, brochures, and social media. This will promote your dental practice as the top choice in the region.
What Is the Culture of Your Office?
Your dental practice does have a culture. Many things are a part of your office culture, such as your personality, leadership style, values, behaviors, and expectations. Even the office decor and environment are part of your office culture. The way you run your practice has the power to increase productivity, attract quality staff members, and retain patients. To build upon the culture of your dental practice, meet with your dental staff and discuss the long-term goals of the practice. Every employee needs to be on the same page working toward the same objective. Your dental team will be happier and your dental business will be successful as a result.
Expand Your Services
There is a point when you want to grow your patient base. Consider different ways in which your dental office can be expanded. Is your production limited by your office space, or do you need to hire additional dental professionals? Do you need to introduce new specialties to further meet the needs of your community? The most important thing to consider is having the right balance between the technology available and the quality of service. Once this balance is maintained and not overextended, you will have a successful dental practice with a great reputation, excellent clients, and maximum profits.
Flexible Financial Options
All successful dental offices have a range of payment options available to their patients. By offering options, your patients will be able to accept treatment options and recommendations, as well as return for dental care in the future. Some choices to consider in addition to insurance are debit, credit, check or cash, and perhaps special financing. You do not want your patients’ finances to control whether they can follow through with dental health care decisions.
Engage With Your Patients
Retaining existing patients is much less expensive than constantly striving to acquire new ones. By reaching out to your patients emotionally, earning their trust, and building relationships that last, you can count on them to visit loyally and recommend your practice to friends and family. The digital technology of today allows many ways to reach out and keep in touch with them on a regular basis. This places you on your patients’ minds and shows them you really care about them.
Improve Your Patient Referrals
Nothing can beat a patient telling other prospective patients such as friends and family members why they choose your dental practice for their treatment. Take action to remind patients to offer referrals. Some good ideas to ask for patient referrals are referral cards at the check-in desk, placing them in patient mailings, or a referral bonus program. You may also involve your dental staff by offering incentives to motivate them to help grow your practice. The most important thing is to follow up and follow through.
Upgrade Your Scheduling System
A quality scheduling system for patient appointments should help with better patient flow, maximize productivity, decrease stressful situations, and contribute to great customer service. Make sure to choose the most up-to-date scheduling system that includes both flexibility and efficiency.
Train Your Staff Well
The first point of contact in your dental office is with the receptionist or front desk person. It is of utmost importance they exemplify professionalism, a positive attitude, and communication skills. One of the most essential parts of your dental practice is training and continuing education. Make sure every employee of your dental practice that comes in contact with your patients is trained properly. All of these guarantee patient satisfaction.
The team at Strategic Practice Solutions, LLC specializes in dental practice management for busy dental practices. Their system is a unique approach that helps you through creating a system for running and growing your dental practice. They are systematic, proven, and efficient. Contact them today!
Strategic Practice Solutions, LLC