Helping the Dental Practice Thrive in Today’s Economy

Many practitioners have noticed changes in their practice scheduling and procedures performed. In order to keep the business viable, there are several tips that can help. 

1.     Strengthen your skills and knowledge.  Get back to reading the industry publications, attending CE, and improving and expanding your skill set.

2.     Get back into a routine.  New patients go where they can get an appointment.  You might need to decrease days off and vacations in order to improve access to your services.  Re-evaluate your schedule to insure that you are allowing access to many demographics of patients.

3.     Decide how to handle questions about your office and the economic effects it is dealing with.  You don’t want to talk about a poor economy throughout the appointment and then show the patient a treatment plan for thousands of dollars.  Be proactive in your actions and dialogue in demonstrating that now is the time to make yourself better, to differentiate yourself.

4.     Start rebuilding your patient network.  Internal referrals remain the most consistent and long-term way to build a solid practice.  It also remains a sound economic investment.  As you see your patients in the community, visit with them, introduce yourself to their friends, and invite them to come to your office.

5.     Don’t make the same mistakes twice.  The state of the economy might not have been your fault, but your actions have contributed to the level of stress and slowdown that you might be experiencing.  Assess your behavior with regards to communication, treatment plan acceptance, staff competence, and staff goals; make changes to positively

This was adapted from The Wall Street Journal, Making an Easy Re-entry Into the work Force by Diana Middleton.