Be honest about your practice’s weaknesses. When you analyze your practice as a business, you need a straightforward appraisal of where your practice is weak. Some doctors and staff members try to …

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Make new patients feel welcome when they call. This begins with a scripted comment such as, “I’m glad that you called. We love meeting new patients and look forward to working with you.” This response …

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Create and promote convenience at your practice. Few patients can judge the finer points of oral health care, but most of them are experts on the subject of convenience. The easier it is for them to …

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Advice for the Dentist – “Model” the behavior you expect from the team. Good leaders think about the behavior they should display to their team, because it will be emulated. For example, acting …

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Watch for opportunities to ask for referrals. All patients who are pleased with the care and customer service you provide are potential referrers. Whatever your role in the practice, be prepared to …

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Advice for the Dentist – Facilitate group decision-making and brainstorming. When the practice needs to respond to new challenges, come up with innovative growth strategies or review systems, your job …

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Make eye contact. When speaking with patients, always make eye contact throughout the interaction. Patients want to feel that they are your number-one concern. If you’re looking down or going through …

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Stay on track with the practice vision, goals and targets. It’s easy to get caught up in daily routines and lose sight of the big picture. Post a written practice vision and goals where all team …

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Use an insurance brochure to help educate patients. In addition to explaining how dental insurance works at your practice, give patients—both new and long-term—a simple, informative brochure on the …

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Advice for the Dentist – Set goals that will help achieve your practice vision. Once you have a written vision statement, come up with specific annual goals that will serve as mileposts on the path to …

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Educate and motivate patients. Use scripts to not only educate but also motivate patients about treatment plans and dental services. The emphasis should always be on how to make patients’ lives richer …

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To improve teamwork, read everyone else’s job description. Rather than assuming you know what others on the practice team are supposed to do, review the responsibilities that have been assigned to …

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