Starting a Dental Practice: Tips For Success
Let’s begin by saying that, as a dentist, you’ve chosen an amazing line of work with proven high success rates. With every chapter, every experience and every challenge you encounter in your career, there is opportunity. Hopefully you will take from this article insights about growth, learning and avoiding the costly mistakes many new practice owners make.
Do some homework.
The failure rate for dental practices is very low, but when it happens, it can be a life-defining disaster, both professionally and personally. In the past, one could build a practice from scratch and have a booked schedule of patients before opening for business. This is rarely the case today. As soon as your mind is made up to become your own boss, start exploring the unknowns that lie ahead. Talk with current practice owners about what challenges they faced, what they did to prevail, and what (if anything) they would do differently today. Once you’re comfortable with the challenges you’re likely to face, you’re ready to move on to tip No. 2.
Build a network of trusted advisers.
Starting on the day you decide to start a practice, you’ll meet many people. As you filter through all the advice and various relationships you’ll establish, it is important to team yourself with industry-specific advisers who will help you with the many crucial decisions you’ll make.
Your team of trusted advisers should include:
Dental-specific building contractors. This is very important. Trying to save money with a general contractor who’s not experienced in building out dental practices can lead to overruns and frustration. Dental-specific contractors are easy to find: Your equipment specialist can likely put you in touch with contractors they’ve worked with, or you can look for contractors at your state annual session. You can also check with colleagues who may have valuable feedback about contractor performance.
A specialized CPA. A general dentist can do root canals, but an endodontist is highly recommended for more difficult procedures. In much the same way, a specialized Certified Public Accountant is highly recommended for your practice. Of course, there are many general CPAs who would like to earn your business, but we encourage you to have a conversation with a CPA who works with at least 25 dental clients.
A dental equipment specialist. A good equipment specialist won’t try to sell you as much equipment as your financing will allow, but instead will look out for your best interests. This person can also be one of your most insightful advisers. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a dental practice owner to maintain a career-long relationship with a trusted equipment specialist. It is important to these specialists that your start-up practice is positioned for success, since they hope to provide you with updated equipment and the latest technology for many years to come.
A dental-specific lender. Many financial institutions — including local, regional, and national banks, SBA lenders and loan brokers — are interested in financing dental practices. Some are experienced in the dental industry and some are general small business lenders who typically look to lend against the collateral in the transaction and don’t always consider soft costs, which include build-out or tenant improvement and working capital. Dental-specific lenders are familiar with the true cost of a start-up practice, which may run upwards of $450,000 (and of which only a third is equipment costs.) It’s important to work with a lender who understands the project breakdown.
Secure financing.
While there is no shortage of banks wanting to lend to dentists, you may find that your local bank and others are unfamiliar with the cost and funding allocation requirements for a start-up practice. But many major lenders are familiar with your needs and can provide you with the required funds. Also, be sure not to base your loan decision solely on interest rate. Although the rate is important in keeping your payments lower, it should only be one factor in your decision-making process
Teeth Care Tips From Dentists That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
It’s good to have a friend who is a dentist, right? Of course, they won’t treat you for free but they can always give you some useful piece of advice and warn you of dangers you may have never even thought about. And surprisingly, our oral health depends on even the smallest details.
It’s really easy to damage your enamel this way (especially if you use a hard toothbrush). Food and drinks disrupt the pH-balance in the mouth and make the tooth enamel a little softer for a short time. Dentists recommend brushing teeth at least 30-40 minutes after having a meal.
Of course, nobody says that swimming is not beneficial for your health. But the problem is that the chemicals used to disinfect the water in swimming pools have a terrible effect on the teeth. In the 80s, American scientists published the results of a study that focused on the health of teeth of professional swimmers, 40% of whom suffered from tooth enamel damage.
Think about the way we drink tea or coffee at work. We pour the full cup of hot coffee and drink it in small sips, constantly talking to our colleague, and answering e-mails. While we are doing it, the coffee (especially coffee with sugar) is working on destroying the enamel of our teeth. So, it’s best to drink this beverage as quickly as possible.
First, a cavity is an open source of infection that spreads from the tooth tissues to the gums and could then get into the bloodstream and affect the fetus. This could lead to premature birth and the baby having serious congenital diseases.
Helpful Dental Tips for our Burnaby Patients
This is where we will regularly update our patients on what’s new and exciting at our practice and in dentistry at large.
This blog will provide information on advances in dental technology, oral home care health tips, news about our practice, and more! We hope you will read and respond to the array of engaging topics here, from health, beauty, technology, and family.
“it’s a smile, it’s a kiss, it’s a sip of wine … it’s summertime!” ― Kenny Chesney… How poetic, and more importantly that Kenny Chesney recognized it is the smile that comes first.
“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” Laertius Diogenes… Here in our office time is ever present.
There are so many different toothbrushes on the market today. How do I know which one is the right one for me? Walk down the dental product isle in any drugstore, pharmacy or supermarket and the choices can be overwhelming.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush and floss?
This unfortunately is an all too common problem and generally means that gum disease (gingivitis/periodontitis) is present.
What Implant Crowns From a Cosmetic Dentist Can Do For You
Many cosmetic dentists recommend implant crowns over other teeth replacement options because of the long-term benefits they offer. It is helpful to fully understand what dental implants are and how they help patients when determining an appropriate treatment choice.
Many cosmetic dentists offer implant crowns as a way for patients with a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth to restore the appearance of their smile, improve oral health and make daily oral functions easier. The following is an overview of dental implants, including what they are exactly, how they help patients and how the placement process works.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are screw-like devices that a dentist or oral surgeon places into or on the jawbone above a missing tooth to serve as the root of a replacement tooth. An abutment is attached to the dental implant, which connects the implant and the artificial tooth together, completing the process. Most commonly, a dental crown is used for the artificial tooth, which is made of either porcelain, a metal alloy or gold material or a combination of porcelain fused to metal
What dental implants can do
There are many benefits to choosing dental implants over other teeth replacement solutions such as removable dentures and fixed bridges
Dental implants can last for as many as 25 years or more before needing replacement, a length of time that far exceeds other replacement options. Many people who lose teeth begin to lose confidence in their appearance as well, and improving the cosmetics of their smile and filling in gaps caused by missing teeth often restores confidence.
Helpful Tips for Finding the Right Pediatric Dentist
As a parent, you eagerly accept the responsibility of building a firm foundation for your child’s oral health. That means you need to find a pediatric dentist in Waverly to provide the type of care that will be just right for your little one. This is easier said than done, so it helps to have some simple guidelines to follow when looking for the right dentist
A Patient Dentist
It’s normal for children to be busy and active, so one of the most important traits for a pediatric dentist to possess is patience. Therefore, your children will feel safe and comfortable about visiting for care.
A Highly-Trained Dentist
Before trusting your child’s dental care to a dentist, you should make sure he or she has been properly trained from a reputable institution. You should be able to easily find this information on the professional’s website in the bio section
An Inviting Office Environment
It never hurts to take an unofficial visit to the dentist’s office to allow your child to get a feel for the facility. If the space is clean and the staff is friendly, then it’s a good start to building a lasting and beneficial relationship
A Dentist Who Offers Comprehensive Care
If you’re like most parents, then you’re constantly on the go, so your time is limited. The last thing you want to do, then, is to have to take your child to multiple professionals for the dental care he or she needs.