Take your dental practice to the next level with these 8 practical steps.

What defines a highly successful dental practice? Is it an extremely high monthly production or a high referral rate? It actually requires several features to create a well-balanced and organized office. If you are looking to step it up and create a “brand” that brings in more patients, consider looking to adjust most areas of your dental practice to ensure they are modernized and well designed and that they set you apart from the herd of dental offices around you.

1. Create your practice’s brand.

Why do you think DSOs (dental support organizations) are so successful? They have the financial and technological support systems to create a more commercial type of dental practice. When you think of most DSOs like Heartland, Aspen, etc., you think of each brand and what it stands for.

If you are a solo dental practitioner, you want to set yourself apart by developing a brand image that reflects what you want to stand for. Whether it’s a newly designed logo or an update to your practice decor, develop a brand that patients will remember and want to be at. This brand could also be as simple as the culture of your office and how your team reaches out to patients after their treatments. Sit down with your dental team to see how you can bring the image of your dental practice to life. 

2. Develop awesome leadership skills.

In order for your dental practice to flow well, your team needs a good leader. Dental owners wear many hats, and it can be a challenge to play the dentist, the boss, the HR department, and the fix-it person in a single day. Take a leadership course to understand the best ways to communicate with your employees and patients. Have comprehensive role descriptions so everyone knows their responsibilities well but can cross-train if necessary.

Being a good leader doesn’t just mean producing well; it also means having a happy, healthy-minded team. When everyone gets the job done well and feels recognized, they know they are part of something great. We all tend to celebrate the big wins of larger case acceptances, but remember to recognize your team’s small wins too. 

3. Maintain the best technology.

To add value to your dental practice, you need to have equipment that reflects modern techniques. Patients want to see technology that is updated and safe but also efficient. Offices that invest in dental technology like CEREC or cone-beam computed tomography can market to patients that they offer the safest and most accurate level of dental technology. Advanced technology and equipment that can save time and create comfortable dental experiences are great features to incorporate.

4. Take advanced training courses.

Bread-and-butter dentistry is fine, but if you are looking to take your dental practice to the next level, you need to add services that patients are looking for, like orthodontics and implants. Take a continuing education course in orthodontics with dental experts to teach you how to transform your generic dental practice into a booming multispeciality office. 

An orthodontic course with Synergy Orthodontic Seminars can give you the knowledge and confidence you need to implement higher-end treatment like orthodontics. It is a win-win because around 4 million people get braces every year (a quarter of whom are adults!), and the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment has been on the rise for some time. 

5. Create a “wow” patient experience.

Most people don’t list going to their dentist as one of their favorite things to do. But you can change that mentality by giving patients an experience that is more comfortable and relaxing than a traditional dental appointment. “Wow” patients by having your team greet them when they arrive and be organized with their patient documents and insurance. These simple gestures take a major burden off patients and set the appointments in the right direction.

Appointments should be calm so patients are not anxious. This helps them think of the dentist as more of a health spa than a scary or painful experience. Offer relaxing music or hand them warming towels when they sit in the operatory. Offer orthodontics to give patients the smile they have craved for years. Deliver personalized care so they know that they are more than just an appointment: They’re a valued person in your practice. 

6. Invest in social media.

Social media is a necessity for all dental practices, but the level of your social media platforms will greatly impact your success. Have a team member do weekly posts on dental topics or videos showing off your office to give patients a sneak preview of the wonderful experience they can have if they schedule a dental appointment.

Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter are great ways to reach people in your community and stay connected even after their appointments are over. It reminds a patient to schedule an appointment or show a friend your page so that they may also become new patients. Social media is the number one marketing tool you can use to attain new patients and retain existing ones. 

7. Ask for patient reviews.

If you want to add value to your dental practice, start by requesting positive reviews from patients after their appointments. If you or your team asks for a patient review, you can provide an incentive with a small gift card or lottery system for a larger reward. There are easy ways to get reviews, ranging from a review link to your Google page using SMS after their appointments to specific marketing platforms like Facebook reviews or Healthgrades. 

The more positive reviews you get, the more it shows new patients (and existing ones) that they made the right choice in choosing you. Patients like knowing that many others in their community use the same dentist, and when there are numerous positive reviews, it gives you a good reputation.

8. Hire your dream team.

You may be the best dentist around, but in order to succeed, you need a motivated and caring team by your side. When you hire your employees, find ones who are excited and willing to learn. It is great when one has dental experience, but if you find someone who is personable and dedicated, you can train them the way you want to fit your needs. Managing a team is one of the greatest challenges dentists report, so if there is one bad egg, it can sometimes dampen the attitude of others around. 

Schedule team meetings to air out any problems and make sure all employees know their job titles and responsibilities. It is also a great idea to plan outside-of-the-office activities to have your team bond on a personal level, which will add much camaraderie when you’re working. 

Ready to step up your practice?

There are so many things you can do to improve your dental practice and add value to it for your sake and your patients. When you decide to make the change by taking advanced orthodontic courses or improving your social media presence, you’ll notice a drastic, positive change to your office culture and production. If orthodontics is something you are interested in pursuing but don’t know exactly where to start, contact Synergy Orthodontic Seminars today, and we can help you get started.