Mary Lynn Wheaton

The dental hygiene component of a general practice can and should be a profit center for the practice. Yet in too many practices it is viewed as a break even, or even worse, a loss leader. The following miss-steps contribute to the perception that a hygiene department is unprofitable:

Many dentists have a written document that outlines their practice’s vision and philosophy. Ideally, the doctor shares this with the dental team and with patients as it is not only a statement of what you aspire to attain, but it is a useful tool for clear communication. It has been said that the difference between a vision and a hallucination is how many people see it! If your team and patients have not seen your practice philosophy, it may be a hallucination.

The old adage, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression” is so appropriate when thinking about the opportunity to convert a first-time caller into a loyal patient. The first minute of the call can make or break the relationship. A shared goal

With so much technology out there, which practice systems get first dibs? I recommend approaching your technology integration efforts as a puzzle, with each system acting as a piece that needs to fit into an overall strategy so that, when the puzzle is complete-and individual products selected-it reflects the right picture for your practice. The systems to evaluate are: