Running a successful dental practice means so much more than just being open for business. Finding success with a dental practice can happen in so many different ways. And it can be a combination of many different factors. You might even find that the factors that make your practice great have less to do with dentistry and more with running a business.
If you’re the owner of a practice, more often than not, you will find yourself needing knowledge that goes beyond the medical science of taking care of your patients’ gums and teeth. While that’s obviously a crucial part of owning a dental practice, managing a practice means:
- managing priorities
- meeting deadlines
- coordinating staff
- figuring out how to adapt to meet patients’ needs
- bringing out the best in your team.
As your practice grows and you begin to consider what makes your practice function at its best, explore a few of these key principles for success.
Effective Communication
Effective communication is absolutely essential to running any business, especially a dental practice. With effective communication, you can build upon other vital parts of running your practice. This includes patient relations and a great team of staff members.
Building rapport with patiens begins the first time they communicate with a staff member. Each positive interation will continue to build a positive, trusting relationship. This means that staff should strive to go above and beyond being friendly on the phone or greeting patients when they enter the building. Communication is vital between the dentist, dental staff, and patients. Patients should feel free to ask questions, express concerns, and explore challenges with the dentist and other staff at the practice.
When it comes to dental staff, it’s important to understand the value of a team. Even the world’s greatest dentist still needs a staff behind them to ensure that patients are given the highest quality of care. When a team is effectively communicating with one another, the dental practice will run smoothly, and a positive work environment can be maintained.
Technology and Equipment
The dental market is more competitive now than ever. Consumers are more aware of their options, more interested in new techniques, and are willing to “shop” for the right dentist. Having the technology and equipment to try new procedures allows patients more options and a higher likelihood of choosing your practice for their dental needs. While there is no doubt that newer technology is an investment, it’s certainly one worthy of consideration. The amount of equipment is also important because it dictates how many patients you can see. The more patients that can receive services, the more money is going into your pocket.
Technology can also make your life much easier when it comes to keeping track of patient info, scheduling, billing, and more. Also, a worthy investment is an electronic health system (EHS) to help keep track of and store patients’ personal health information; this may save you from fines or potential lawsuits in the future due to HIPPA violations.
Marketing
Your patients are the reason behind the success of your dental practice. You want to bring in patients, give them healthy mouths, and keep them as your loyal patients forever. The problem is, you actually need to get customers in the door. Traditionally, one satisfied patient may spread the word of good experiences with others and business might start booming just by word of mouth. With an increasingly competitive market for healthcare services, just word of mouth may not be enough to keep your business thriving.
For a dental practice that wants to be successful in 2023, making your practice marketable and marketing it well is key. These days, marketing and social media just might be best friends. Utilize the availability of social media sites. They are free, largely accessible, easy to use, and likely will reach your largest audience.
Local ads can also be a positive way to market yourself and reach those you most want to reach – your own community members. While the newspaper may not be the biggest fad anymore, many people still subscribe to a local newspaper to get information about their area, including ads for things like a local dentist. As times and technology have changed, it’s likely that your local newspaper has as well, so it’s possible paying for an ad may mean getting a space on their website as well as a paper ad.
If you’re looking for more ideas on how to ensure success for your dental practice in the new year, Strategic Practice Solutions may be able to help. Strategic Practice Solutions strives to help busy dentists manage their practices in ways that make their practice grow and succeed. We offer custom solutions to fit the needs of each dental practice. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and see how Strategic Practice Solutions can offer you the keys to managing your dental practice.
Strategic Practice Solutions, LLC