By Dr. Bill Williams
In the dental jungle there are 101 stories; this is the seventh in a series of these stories. With Dr. Alex Middleton, The Guide, offering sage advice to his dentist friend, Dr. Steve Blake, a senior dentist, who asked the $64,000 question, “What does Google report is the most important reason some dentists outperform others?” Many answers popped up including having enough space (operatories or surgeries) to fully function in the most efficient manner. Dr. Alex explores that question by asking Dr. Steve in return, “How well are you prepared to grow your practice?”
NUMBER OF OPERATORIES
Having the right number of operatories allows a dentist to function most efficiently and allows for growth. Staying ahead of the growth curve is one key to building a successful practice and career. As an owner dentist grows the practice, associate dentists can be hired to help manage increasing patient numbers and allow for adequate time for the owner to work on the practice and for needed vacation and continuing education time away from the practice. Becoming a manager of other dentists can dramatically enhance profitability for the owner dentist.
It’s not just about number of operatories, however; it’s also about how you use them, schedule them and turn them over efficiently. Happiness for a dentist is each operatory full at 8:00 a.m. each morning! At least that was Alex’s definition when he owned the practice and had two associates working for him. Alex has a saying, “8 at 8.” That meant he loved seeing eight cars in the patient parking lot as he pulled into work, four patients for the two dentists and four patients for the four hygienists to start each day.
Later on, once Alex had sold his practice and was working more efficiently because he was only working two days a week, he wanted 3-in-3: three patients in his three operatories at 8:00 a.m. One “A” appointment for big production, one “B” appointment for minor production, and one “C” appointment for his no production chair. For instance, that would be a crown, a filling and an ortho check or an endo, an extraction and a crown seat. ABC or as some call it, Rock, Sand, Water.
Every dentist needs three to four operatories available to maximize their effectiveness and efficiency. As time goes on, the practices that have expanded to encompass multiple dentists in a single location with adequate number of operatories to reach their maximum potential will be the most successful practices in town. They will also be the most valuable to buyers who are looking to purchase a dental practice in the future.
The Big Take Away is to plan for your success. Think ahead and plan for the day when you will both want to add an associate dentist to your practice and the day you plan to sell your practice. An absolute minimum of five operatories and ideally seven to ten is a wise investment.
Alex was thinking at this point, “My guiding job just got a little easier with all those excellent answers showing up online at the peck of a fingertip.” Remember, for Alex, happiness was each operatory full at 8:00 a.m. each morning! If you can figure out what makes you happy and starts your day off well, you are half way to having a great day. Having what you need to fulfil your day is how you build each day into a successful life.
The next time you have a question, consider the “Silicon Sandbox” and the social networks online as well as Google and Wikipedia. LinkedIn groups and Facebook groups are specific online social settings like coffeehouses where like-minded people gather for sharing ideas. Solstice 5M Mastermind groups are a superior source of knowledge and information relative to building and growing your practice. There are hundreds of online dental groups where you can tap into the dental collective. Order a double Macchiato and see who shows up. Start a group or join a group. Compare your dental “Swiss Army knives” and swap a few stories. The day is young and you’ve a life to enjoy.
Are you interested in growing your practice to prepare for eventual sale for retirement, or even semi-retirement? How well are you prepared to grow your practice?
*Excerpt from The $10,000 A Day Dentist
Author: Dr Bill Williams Director of the 5M Mastermind
1. Webinar Replay Available Now from our Oct 27th, 55-minute webinar on "How to Create the Perfect $10,000 Day" and the "Say Yes Campaign" by Clicking Here
2. Webinar Replay Available Now from our Nov. 1st webinar on "Best Marketing for 2017", Click Here
3. Webinar replay for our Survival Tactics for 2017 held on Nov 16th. Click here
For more info: SolsticeDentalAdvisors.com/2017