After spending a minimum of eight years getting qualified to practice dentistry many individuals find themselves ill-prepared for the business of dentistry. Many times the drive and motivation to care for the dental needs of others and the passion for the field does not translate to success in a business setting.
A successful business model incorporates the skills and expertise of many professionals. No one professional, including the owner, attempts to perform all of the tasks that are found in the business. The owner of a business, as with a dentist, is an expert in their field, and depends on the experts in other fields to work on the team to achieve success.
There must be a solid foundation of basic business management principles established early on for the business of dentistry to be successful. The first, and most difficult principle for most dentists is their management style. Dentists, by nature, are very "hands-on" people. They want to be sure that every part of their patient's dental care is provided at the high standard they have set. In the business world these characteristics would be referred to as a micro-management style.
Hiring a team of professionals who have the level of expertise to make the business of dentistry thrive requires that a dentist trust the team to do their job. Micro-managers do not trust the individuals around them to perform at the level that is needed to succeed. For most professionals who have the expertise one needs to succeed, this is an unacceptable working environment. A dentist must therefore learn and use a macro-management style that encourages the team to achieve the goals that will make the business of dentistry successful.
Creating clear job expectations and descriptions will be crucial in having a team that functions smoothly. The job descriptions provide the employee with clear expectations and provide the practitioner the visual boundary that they need to allow their team to function effectively.
Individuals who have the expertise and personality that is required for the business of dentistry to success provide the practitioner with the time they need to grow the business internally. When the team dynamic is properly established there is continued growth within the business. Retaining staff and clients does not become an issue for the practitioner.
A dentist and the team that is selected can work successfully to meet the goals and objectives that have been established. Through the use of business practice models that have proved successful, one will find that the business of dentistry will be both fulfilling and rewarding.
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As a successful and growing
San Francisco Cosmetic Dentist I know the challenges that dentists face everyday. Whether it is dealing with patients or insurance companies, it can be a confounding amount of work. This makes it doubly important to be as good of a businessman as a dentist. It is always a joy to introduce myself as a businessman and practicing
cosmetic dentist San Francisco.
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