Michael Abernathy, D.D.S.

Dentists are known for their high income, but what many lack the know-how to manage their money. Michael Abernathy, owner and founder of Summit Practice Solutions, knows a thing or two about avoiding financial disaster. Continue below for the six big mistakes Abernathy sees the most from his clients.

Any career comes with trials and tribulations, and dentistry is no exception. No one knows this better than Dr. Mike Abernathy, who has spun his life experience into a helpful, relatable guide to find happiness and stay motivated in a dental career. Continue below for an adapted excerpt of his book, The Super General Dental Practice.

The business side of dentistry can be a struggle to get a handle on for many practice owners, and when patients aren't flowing in, it can lead any dentist to self-doubt. What am I doing wrong? Why aren't my patients returning? Dr. Mike Abernathy, a veteran of dentistry, has a few pointers on how to fix your patient problems.

Dentistry is just a small consumer driven business. Consumers today decide where they go and where they spend their money and you as a dentist are no different.

One dentist explains how early in his career, he came to the realization that his most powerful referral source wasn't any of his external marketing efforts, but rather his competitors. Either your practice is a recipient practice, like his, or it's a donor practice. You definitely don't want to run a donor practice.