Dentaltown New Grad 2013 - (Page 46)

practice management feature by Jay M. Geier If you could know the number-one secret to winning patients for life – the secret that would increase your net income, your team’s engagement and the overall success of your practice – would you listen? In my 25 years of experience turning practices into thriving, successful businesses, there’s one thing I’ve seen time and time again that dramatically uncaps potential and growth. The secret is you absolutely and unrelentingly need to learn how to make the patient your first priority. This is much easier to say than do. The problem is most teams think they are patient-focused, but really they are far from it. Until there is tangible evidence that you actively put your patients first (before the staff, before the doctors, etc.) then you don’t really know what it means to make patients your number-one priority. Putting your patients first means delivering an outstanding experience to every patient who comes into your practice. Sounds great, right? But how do you make that happen? First, to win patients for life, you have to build a superstar team. There’s no way around it. This means you need to think 46 NEW GRADS » dentaltown.com critically about who is running your office. Many of you have what we call a “home grown” office manager – someone who has been with the practice a long time and has, by default, become the office manager. If you have ambitious goals and really want to transform your practice into a successful business then “growing” an office manager is not the way to do it. Too many dentists just grow the practice to the capability of their most talented staff member. If that’s what you currently have and it’s not profitable or in line with your vision, then you need to make some changes. Remember, finding someone skilled to run your office doesn’t mean you can’t keep the office manager you have. He or she could possibly take on a team leader role, or other type of role, within the office. Also, keep in mind you can’t be in charge of seeing the patients and running the office, all at the same time. If you try to do this, you will be unsuccessful. You need to focus on treating patients, and you need to hire someone great to run the business end of your practice. When you fill the position with the right person – someone who has the time and ability to place the nec- http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown New Grad 2013

Howard Speaks: Informed Decisions
Professional Courtesy: So You Want to Be Successful? Be Professional
Continuing Education Update: Never Stop Learning
After Going Through Dental School, What Advice Would You Give Students?
Checklist for Reviewing an Associate’s Work
You Should Know: Townie Meeting
Office Visit: Resident On Call
Office Visit: In His Element
Are You Prepared to Begin Practicing Dentistry?
Three Stages of a Dental Career
What You Need to Know About Student Debt Relief
Gain an Early Financial Edge
Pregnancy and Employment in the Dental Practice
Personal Protective Equipment
Win Patient Loyalty
Denture Stabilization with Small-diameter Implants
Partnerships: A Match Made in Heaven or a Pathway to Financial Hell
Taking Oral Health Care Education from the Classroom to the Clinic
Continuing Education: Nine Lessons from the Real World

Dentaltown New Grad 2013