Starting a new dental practice can be overwhelming, and rightfully so. Whether you’re just out of dental school or transitioning ownership, you’re probably finding out there’s more to practice ownership than clinical work. But how do you get settled into your new dental practice for future growth and to improve its value? Here, we detail the best path forward on your road to dental practice ownership as part of the effort to maintain attrition rates and attract new patients.
Stay in communication
One of the top qualities patients admire in a dentist is honesty. This is especially true when it comes to being well-informed about procedures that need to be done. If a patient doesn’t feel comfortable about a decision that needs to be made, they may experience hesitancy about oral care going forward. What’s more, dental staff needs to be transparent about pricing for these procedures, including whether they’re in- or out-of-network.
Focus your efforts
It can be easy to get 10 steps ahead of yourself when dealing with a patient load for the day. The best thing you can do for both you and the patient is to focus on them and any issues that arise when you’re in the moment. The last thing a patient wants to feel is rushed through their appointment so they don’t have the chance to ask any questions they may have. Better yet, asking about any oral health problems they’ve had in the past without any judgment. A relationship of dignity and respect starts as soon as patients walk in the door.
Keep in touch
Above all, it’s important for patients to see the need for regular dental care. Make them feel comfortable from their first interaction with your office, including setting expectations for what will happen at their appointment. Do your best to set a schedule and stick to it for your sake and the patients’. And, if your office isn’t already operating digitally, it’s high time you consider switching to a cloud-based software management system.
Bottom line
Your dental practice will only be as strong as your weakest link. Proper training starts from the ground up, so make sure you invest time in your dental staff in order to grow your practice and improve its value. Contact the experts at Professional Transition Strategies for more ways to keep your dental practice on top of its game throughout the course of your ownership.