Tips for Competent and Effective Dental Practice Management
Over the years, the dental practice has experienced an increase in administrative work. This explains why most dentists have a hard time managing the business. It takes more than being well trained and skilled in the dental field to be a successful dental manager. As a dentist, you should consider investing in knowledge on topics such as:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Customer service
- Technology
Features of Effective and Efficient Dental Practice Management
For competent dental practice management, experts at AFTCO recommend that you do the following:
- Have an established system to follow up on missed calls
In most cases, a patient rarely ever calls back if their call is not answered. To avoid losing potential patients, it is wise to come up with a system to follow up on missed calls. This makes the caller feel valued, thus adding points to your customer service.
- Invest in your support staff to have an efficient and effective team
You should consider your team to be assets. Train them consistently to empower them. Ensure they clearly understand your objectives and values.
- Have a well set up professional limited liability company
Depending on the type of entity you chose, you may enjoy tax benefits from taking this action. You will also protect your assets from liabilities.
- Create a dental website
An effective dental website is one that impacts a large number of people. This will aid in the marketing of the practice.
- Ensure each member of your team is well-versed in their roles
This will ensure they practice discipline-based decision making and put emphasis on improving patient experience.
- Act on your action plans
Inaction has seen many businesses lose money. Once you come up with a plan of action, immediately work on it.
- Establish effective problem-solving techniques
It will facilitate the smooth running of your operations and avoid unnecessary time wastage.
- Keep up with technology to ensure the acquisition of the latest dental equipment.
Investing in the newest technology makes it easier to run the numbers. Technological advancements in dental practice have also helped to enhance the patient experience by coming up with faster ways of performing dental tasks.
- Continuously market your services and also keep track of where your new patients are from
Consistent marketing makes your practice more popular with your prospects (potential patients). This will benefit you in the long run since, in case they need dental services, you will be the first in mind.
- Come up with procedures and policies aimed at ensuring staff accountability as well as consistency
Since your appearance gives the first impression, it is wise to ensure you have a professional-looking dental office design. This creates an image of a world-class and organized dental practice in the mind of every patient who walks in the office.
Dental practice management requires plenty of training, experience, commitment, as well as exceptional organizational skills to perform the duties involved competently. This is why most dentists find it hard to manage their practices while at the same time, provide their patients with professional dental services.
It is, therefore, wise to invest in a dental practice consultant to have ample time to focus on your patients. A dental practice manager will help lessen your burden as a dentist and ensure all systems in practice are functioning accordingly.
Also, establish a healthy professional relationship between the dentists and dental practice manager to ensure a profitable business. To achieve this, the two parties should foster open communication.
Duties of A Dental Practice Manager
1.Team management
A dental practice manager has to hire, train, motivate, and discipline the supporting staff per the accepted practice policies. The practice manager should also aid in the implementation of the appraisal system, composition of employee contracts as well as job descriptions and responsibilities.
2.Provide guidance and consultation advice
Most dentists only acquire training in the dental field. When operating a dental practice, you will need information on matters such as legislation and finances. Your dental practice manager will offer guidance and advice on these issues.
3.Designing and implementing agreed administration
4.Coming up with a business plan
By following the above tips and guidelines, your dentistry should start recording managerial and staff performance improvement in addition to the provision of better services.