PRIVATE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

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Gwen Charles
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1 PRIVATE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

2 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION TYPES OF PRACTICE SELECTION OF PLACE SELECTION OF LOCATION SELECTION OF BUILDING SETTING UP OF DENTAL OFFICE DESIGNING PERSONNEL NEEDS PATIENT NEEDS OPERATIONAL NEEDS MARKETING & PRACTICE GROWTH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRIVATE PRACTITIONER AND PUBLIC HEALTH DENTIST

3 INTRODUCTION Delivery of Quality care combining excellent business principles. Population - 30% urban - 70% rural Dentists - Vice versa. Year Dental Colleges! dentists approx yearly! SO, MANAGEMENT OF PRACTICE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

4 Dentistry :a health care profession Two fold role : to provide health care & service to make profit as a small business. The establishment of dental practice is a major commitment one that for a life time. DCNA 1988

5 Personal Qualities Related to Dentist Confidence Personality Politeness Patience Punctuality Humane Attitude Perseverance Good Health Salesmanship

6 TYPES OF PRACTICE Dental practices can be divided in to three basic types 1. Independent solo practice 2. Solo with facility sharing 3. Partnership group practices

7 INDEPENDENT PRACTICE It reflects the personal adjustment /preference and judgment of practitioner. A minimum level of solo practice is that in which the entire job is done by dentist himself. The professional task of a dentist may be supplemented by the skills of dental hygienist, lab technician. Dentist sometimes invite younger dentist to join them.

8 SOLO WITH FACILITY SHARING Here the office with all equipment and physical facilities and even auxiliary personnel are shared by two or more dentist who maintain individual practices.

9 FULL PARTNERSHIP GROUP PRACTICE Defined as the income, facilities and expenses shared by the participants.

10 ADVANTAGES OF PRIVATE PRACTICE Can provide care for as many hours /day and for as many days /year Can increase their fee and can also decrease their fees price discrimination Can treat a patient or may not treat a patient Unlimited choice of where to locate their practice High status in the community, good income and freedom of being ones own boss.

11 DISADVANTAGES Overhead costs for utilities, insurance, staff benefits,and equipment maintenance. Income maintenance in the event of disability adhere to government regulations.

12 SELECTION OF PLACE

13 Thoughtful decision Cannot be changed frequently. Native place No. of dentists practicing in a place Linkage of the place with bigger cities Near Dental Colleges to get employed Profession of spouse Commitments

14 SELECTION OF LOCATION

15 Scope, style of practice and convenience. Busy area Main street, market place, in heart of the city Near to bus stand, railway station. Commercial areas office hours Residential areas housewives, children, retired & elderly Safety aspect of doctor & patient to be kept in mind

16 SELECTION OF BUILDING

17 Ground Floor Higher floors if lift available Place should be owned preferably Easy to visualize, locate, well illuminated, well maintained, with security Parking space Good ventilation Proper electrical, water & drainage systems Scope for further expansion Practice at home

18 SETTING UP OF DENTAL OFFICE Financial assistance Rates of Interest, repayment terms, repayment schedules Buy from reputed manufacturer Good service network Schemes, discounts Guarantee, warranty Promotional offers Combo offers

19 DESIGNING OF DENTAL OFFICE Space constraints Manpower constraints Budget Soft lighting Avoid dark colors Soothing to mind & body Functional, esthetic & utility value Help of architect/ interior designer Visit other dental offices & enquire for pros & cons All statutory licenses Insurance cover Personal indemnity insurance

20 MANAGEMENT OF DENTAL OFFICE Not only starting but managing is important Solo practice Group practice On call specialists Full time receptionist, dental assistant or two in one Cleaner

21 Face of the clinic RECEPTIONIST Good looking, confident, & pleasing personality Should handle appts, scheduling, correct record keeping Trained to manage patients difficulties regarding timings, choice of appts etc. Collection of payments Sending / receiving mails, maintaining stock Maintain books of accounts Doing payments to agencies

22 DENTAL ASSISTANT Keep all instruments ready for work Well versed about handling of equipments, instruments Dispensing of materials Should know minor procedures like x-ray developing, mixing of cements, alginate etc. Can reduce stress and fatigue of the dentist Enhances productivity Sterilization protocols

23 Clinic should open at least 30 min early before the first appointment Detailed explanation should be given about diagnosis, investigations if any, treatment plans available, approx cost of treatment, mode of payments etc. Company registered dentist Attached to insurance agency Link with credit card managers Good dental laboratory association Proper disposal of waste

24 REJUVENATION At least one weekly off 2 vacations a year Essential to manage profession linked stress Alternative arrangements at clinic should be made Attend family & social functions Exercise regularly especially neck and back exercises Mental relaxation Indulge in hobbies

25 PERSONNEL NEEDS Dedicated professional staff is necessary Invest time, effort & money to hire, train & retain quality individuals Develop a team No. of staff varies according to type of practice Hired from personal recommendations, technical schools and classified advertisements Proper interview process & orientation to the clinic Wages at par to the industry Performance appraisals to perform better Regular staff meetings Planning of fun events, social activity.

26 PATIENT NEEDS Good first appointment experience Greeted on arrival, escorted to the operatory Confidence should be gained by the dentist Know patient more on a personal level Goodbye thanks Patient should leave the office feeling that the clinic is extraordinarily caring, skillful & efficient Appointments strictly adhered to In cancellations/delay inform well in advance Quality reading material Tea/coffee vending machines

27 PATIENTS JUDGE A PRACTICE, ACCEPT TREATMENT & REFER OTHERS BASED MORE ON A GOOD FEELING THAN ON THE QUALITY OF DENTISTRY RECEIVED

28 OPERATIONAL NEEDS Proper scheduling to avoid confusion Efficient recall system Monitoring patients who have not reported back Provide quality treatment efficiently Calculate production goal and desired profit Clear payment policy preferably written Fixed treatment charges PROFIT Earn more / Spend less Control spending through budgeting Proper monitoring

29 MARKETING & PRACTICE GROWTH Of paramount importance Educates people about the value of dental health creating more awareness & brings more patients to practice 2 types Internal marketing External marleting

30 INTERNAL MARKETING Activities within an office which affects current patients Information booklets / brochures, video tapes of current newer treatment modalities like Teeth whitening, Implants, Full ceramic esthetic crowns, smile designing procedures etc. Makes patient aware that such a procedure exists & can be helpful for him or others, whom he can refer. Emphasis to be given on giving a comprehensive dental treatment.

31 PATIENT INCENTIVE AND MOTIVATION Patient behavior modification through positive reinforcement. Rewards such as T-shirts, stickers, fast-food coupons, and movie passes have been used to recognize good oral hygiene, headgear and elastic wear, and on-time appointment keeping marketing strategy

32 EXTERNAL MARKETING Activities done outside the office to attract more patients Free dental check up in nearby schools, private companies Dental awareness lectures in social organizations, senior citizen groups, elite clubs Writing articles in news papers, magazines Free dental check up programs run in clinic Offering concessional treatments for target groups

33 Successful programs should result in improved oral health habits among patients and in attraction of many new patients. Most effective type of marketing is when an existing patient recommends a particular dentist to his friends, acquaintances, family members etc. when he is fully satisfied by the quality of treatment and care he has received. Treat each & every patient with utmost commitment & care & polish his skills by updating himself.

34 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRIVATE DENTAL PRACTICE AND PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY

35 Characteristic Private dental practice Public health dentistry Target Individual patient Community or group of individuals Collection of information Special investigations History taking and clinical oral examination Radiography,blood test,biopsies exfoliative cytology Analysis of available health records Epidemiological survey Conclusions Diagnosis situation analysis, oral health status and needs and utilization of services

36 Characteristic Remedial measures Major emphasis Essential requirement for success Private dental practice Treatment plan based on diagnosis, patients attitude and affordability Curative and restorative care Patients consent and co operation Public health dentistry Action plan based on demands available resources and priorities promotive and preventive Community participation Service provider Dentist alone some times with the assistant Health professionals Para professionals and community volunteers

37 Characteristic Supportive discipline Organization and management Private dental practice Psychology Not relevant Public health dentistry Sociology,socio psychology,education epidemiology and biostatistics Very relevant Perspective Immediate Long-term Funding Generally by the patient Generally by the government and local bodies

38 REFERENCES Soben Peter. MacDonald, Avery. Vimal Sikri, Poonam Sikri.

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