The Real Dr. Park Blog - Helping Dentists Become Practice Owners

My blog is the go-to resource for dentists seeking more than just a career as an associate. Offering tips on clinical autonomy, building equity, and stepping confidently into practice ownership.

Blog By:
Dr_David_Park

For me, a bad patient is someone who complains about everything and rarely seems happy with life. The good news? They’re rare. The bad news? When they show up, they can ruin your entire day if your team isn’t supported.

One of the biggest game-changers in our clinic was implementing what I call the Zero Late Policy. The idea is simple. If a patient arrives late, we politely reschedule them instead of trying to squeeze them in. At first, I worried about losing money or upsetting patients.

But here’s what actually happened. Prioritizing my team over short-term revenue completely changed our clinic culture. I’ll give you a real example. Early on, we had a hygienist who came to work every day, giving her all, but patients showing up late started to throw off the schedule. One day, she was so stressed and upset over a late patient that she literally cried in the treatment room. That was my wake-up call. I realized that no amount of extra money was worth seeing my team stressed, drained, and unhappy.

So I made the tough decision. From that day forward, late patients were rescheduled. We set up reminders for them seven days, two days, and even two hours before their appointment, so there were no excuses. The result was that my team was less stressed, more focused, and more confident in their roles. Patients also started showing up on time because they respected our boundaries.

This policy is not just about rules or strict scheduling. It is about showing your team that their time, energy, and well-being matter. When your team feels respected and supported, they treat patients better, appointments run smoothly, and the overall clinic environment improves. It is a simple change that has a massive ripple effect on the culture and success of your practice.

Protecting Your Team with Dismissal Policies
 If a patient is verbally abusive, racist, or threatening, we dismiss them immediately. Protecting your team is more important than keeping difficult patients around. When your staff feels supported, they perform better, patients feel it, and the clinic runs smoothly.

Growth Through Referrals and Marketing
If you want more patients, ask for referrals directly through family, friends, and co-workers. And don’t underestimate digital tools: Google Ads is an inexpensive option compared to the ROI, and it helps bring in patients who are a good fit for your practice. 

 Leadership Means Protecting Culture
Not every hire works out. Even someone who interviews perfectly may reveal poor character once they start practicing. Culture, respect, and leadership matter as much as clinical skill. Acting early to protect your team and your values is key.

Conclusion: Happy Team, Happy Patients
Dentistry is challenging enough without unnecessary stress. Respect your team, empower them, and patients will naturally respond. A happy team leads to happy patients — and that’s how you build a practice that actually works.

Watch the full video about "The #1 Lie in Dentistry (And What To Do Instead)"