Dental medicine is a thriving industry with enormous potential. However, that does not guarantee that your dental practice will automatically become successful. Dental medicine has evolved over recent years to become more advanced, more appealing and more comfortable for patients.
The modern dental practice has numerous moving parts and functional systems to keep it operating at peak efficiency. Modern medical care, including dentistry, is a complicated combination of treating patients and running a business. Both sides of the equation must be balanced in order to build and maintain a successful dental practice.
This is where many dental practitioners experience a serious disconnect – they fell in love with dental medicine but likely choke when dealing with all the necessary evils of the business component. A successful dental practice requires acumen in both areas: dental care and business management.
PPO Negotiation Solutions knows what it takes to make your dental practice successful. Whether you are just starting out in practice or you’ve been in business for years, we can offer suggestions and solutions to transform your dental practice from serious drudge to unparalleled success. Here are some basic strategies we suggest.
Competitive Branding
A successful dental practice sets itself apart from the local competition. Learn about the target population in your area, their needs and desires for dental care. Then, find a way to meet those needs and desires with your own competitive advantages. These unique advantages are the major focus of your sales and marketing strategies. Highlight what makes you different and better than the other local dental practices.
It is not enough to feature what every other dental office in the area provides. Some cool amenities and a fancy building still houses the same dental care options that most other dentists offer. You must determine what makes you stand apart from the rest and make that a major focus.
For example, children’s dentists were scare in a particular area, although there were several dental practices from which to choose. One particular dental practice opened with unique branding that focused more on pediatric dentistry, even featuring a circus design motif and décor. Their business almost exploded with growth virtually overnight.
Competent Care
Competitive branding will attract clients, competent care will keep them coming back for years. You must attract and recruit talented and skilled practitioners who know their business. They are the face and hands of your dental practice, and they are the single most important factor that will cause clients to return or go elsewhere.
Skills and personal interactions are equally important. Kind and compassionate treatment combined with unsurpassed dental treatments are a winning combination that will keep your practice thriving. The right team exudes an atmosphere of teamwork and family. That kind of office culture is a huge plus for attracting and keeping quality team members.
Don’t underestimate the success power of a great team, nor the destructive power of an unhappy or problematic team. It may pay off in the long term to contract with professional recruitment services to help you screen and evaluate candidates. This is especially true if in addition to owning the practice, you also personally provide full-time dental services.
Comprehensive Services
Modern people are busy – the number one barrier to most people receiving dental care is a busy schedule. You can trump this argument by providing a comprehensive array of dental services to meet any need. Beyond providing excellent care, you must provide the full range of dental services that your clientele may need.
Patients no longer wish to go to several dental specialists’ offices for numerous appointments. They want one dentist and one office to handle their dental needs. This includes everything from pediatric dentistry to basic and emergency care to replacing teeth in their older years. While recruiting a talented and skilled team, be sure to adequately cover all the bases so you can offer every dental option under one roof.
Dental technology has expanded to include advanced imaging, lab and treatment options that can all be housed in a single practice. It may require a challenging investment up front, but your clients will be more than happy to stick with your dental practice when they can enjoy the latest and best dental care in one place and with one team they know and trust.
Make It Easy for Clients to Get Care
Most people are only offered dental care as an addition to regular insurance coverage, meaning it is often viewed as an extra burden. As of 2019, the CDC reported that only 50.2% of adults between the ages of 18–64 enjoyed the benefit of dental insurance coverage. This means that approximately half of your target clientele have no assistance with paying for dental care.
Targeting this half will require adding some creative payment options that make it easy for clients to get the care they want and need. Flexible financing options can open the door for many of these potential clients when they have no dental insurance coverage. Moreover, many others who do have insurance have limited coverage that does not completely pay for some treatments. Take the necessary steps to accept numerous types of payment, including as many insurance companies as possible, cash, credit and debit payments and some sort of easily-obtained financing.
Be Proactive in Asking for Referrals
Word-of-mouth referrals are still the number-one method of gaining clients. People give considerable credence to the word of those they know and trust. So, make it easy for your clients to refer other clients. Ask for referrals and provide different strategies for obtaining them in different settings.
There are ways to point people to online referral pages through your email, ads and patient communications. Provide in-office referral cards and ask your clients for online reviews. Provide the necessary links to these sites and offer incentives for those who provide referrals or testimonials about their care.
Your Ultimate Success Depends on Clients
How do you build a successful dental practice? It all revolves around your clients. Targeting your ideal customer, providing them with unsurpassed dental care and a pleasant experience while at your office and maintaining a focus on attraction and service will keep clients returning for dental care over the long haul.
This means that your patients must inform every choice you make for your dental practice, including marketing, amenities, staffing and services. The client is your source of revenue, so prioritizing their experience is the key to creating and maintaining a successful dental practice.
PPO Negotiation Solutions offers many solutions to enrich your dental practice operations and profitability. Contact us today for a consultation and learn more about how we can help you build a successful dental practice.